Empowering young people with disability

One in five people in Australia experience disability. This includes physical, sensory, psychosocial and intellectual disability and neurodivergence. The disability community is one of the few communities that anyone can join at any time; this might  be by genetics, birth, accident, illness or ageing. The statistics show that a significant number of people will experience disability, not to mention the number of parents and carers affected by caring for them full-time. 

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability found that people with disability are twice as likely than other people to be abused, neglected, and exploited.

There are people who yell out unkind things towards those who look different. There are people who fail to provide for the needs of those who require assistance. There are people who assault those who are vulnerable. 

It can be hard to fathom that there are people in society who actively hurt those with disability and take advantage of their circumstances. But the stories are out there, and the experiences have stuck in the memories of the victims. What has become clear from the findings of this Royal Commission is the need for safe spaces and education. 

Why I wrote a new book

Churches can be the safe and welcoming place that all people need—a place to belong and to trust others. Churches should be communities of people who support each other and look out for one another. But not everyone in church feels equipped to know how to care for those with disability, or to support parents and carers in navigating the vital conversations that will help keep them safe—conversations around the body, dignity and interactions with other people.

That’s why I wrote the book Made to Be Me and You— to meet a need for resources for young people with intellectual disability about sexuality and respect for self and others. Technology and the internet offer easy access to explicit material and advice that may encourage embracing sexual interactions which could lead to harmful situations. So there was a particular need for a Christian perspective that would give a clear and concrete understanding of the body as God’s precious gift to be honoured. What we really needed was an easy-to-read format for older teens and young adults that celebrated God’s good design for his creation.

Made to Be Me and You is a celebration of who God made people to be—in his image and with a purpose. It explores that all bodies are different in shape, size and ability, but God has great love for all the people he has created. It then looks at how bodies grow and change into adulthood; interacting with the people around us; and the purpose of church. 

The book is designed to be read alongside a trusted adult, with discussion prompts throughout. It includes notes for parents and caregivers to help guide these conversations that will help to empower those with intellectual disability so that they are informed and can take action as needed. 

This resource and the kinds of conversations it prompts are important for educating people with intellectual disability so that they can learn about appropriate interactions and have a better chance of not falling prey to mistreatment. Not talking about it doesn’t mean they are protected and leaves them open to confusion about what is happening with their bodies or why interactions with others are going awry. 

As parents, we want to set our children up to be safe and aware. As churches, we want to be spaces of safety and belonging. As Christians, we want to advocate for the needs of those with disability and look out for the vulnerable. So can I encourage you to take a look at Made to Be Me and You?

Making church a safe place of belonging

But reading the book is just the start.  We need to be thinking about how our churches can create safe spaces of belonging for people with disability.

Here are some practical ways churches can support those with intellectual disability.

• Say hello. Be a place of welcome. A conversation may or may not follow, but being present with someone speaks louder than words.
• Recruit. Have a group of people looking out for people with disability and their families, rather than leaving it up to one person who is the most confident. Be a genuine friend to someone with disability—your life will be better for it!
• Be trained. The Sydney Anglican Diocese has Safe Ministry Training in caring for young people and those who are vulnerable. This sort of training equips the whole church to create safe spaces and to know the next steps for giving support.
• Evaluate existing ministries. Do they make space for people with disability? As an event is being planned, are there intentional actions being made to proactively accommodate disability? Is there space to start something new like a Jesus Club for adults with intellectual disability? Or a sensory-friendly and accessible church service?
• Pray. Pray for people with disability to be welcomed, safe and to know Jesus. Pray for families as they care for their children. Pray for people with disability to be coming to church.

And if you want to learn more and be equipped for ministry for and with those with disability, here are some upcoming events:

• 139 Collective Conference on September 5, 2026 for parents of children with disability (from baby to adult). Register here. 
• Disability and Neurodiversity in Youth and Children’s Ministry Symposium on October 6, 2026. This will be hosted by Louise Gosbell in partnership with Youthworks College. It is for anyone wanting to think more about accessible ministry to young people. You can register here.
• Jesus Club Conference on Oct 31, 2026. This is for leaders in churches considering accessible ministry for adults with intellectual disability. Register here.

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Bec Baines works with Youthworks’ Ministry Support Team as the first ever Accessibility Ministry Advisor for the Sydney Anglican Diocese. 

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