Disabilities do not care what your faith tradition is. Faith traditions, however, have a long and complicated history of caring for those with disabilities. Without going into a long history, faith communities have varied in celebrating and venerating those with disabilities to judging and condemning them for everything from sinful behavior to demon possession.

For more than a decade, the Institute for Theology and Disability (ITD) has been an alternate voice at this intersection. Historically championed by Bill Gaventa, a broad group of people now coordinates to host the annual ITD conference. The most recent conference, which drew an ecumenical and interfaith gathering of practitioners and professors deeply invested in disability communities, advocacy, and networking, took place in Denver from June 16 to 18, 2025.

From the very first welcome, the tone of the conference is different. Accommodations are made from the start. Introductions include a physical description of the speaker, who stands next to a sign interpreter and in front of closed captioning.

Participants are also given a reminder to do what is best for their individual bodies, with no explanation needed. It is considered normal to leave if you are tired, to stand, sit or lie down as needed, to stim, or to leave entirely, knowing every session will be recorded and transcribed later. The mission is clear: “to foster diverse and authentic interfaith conversations at the intersection of theology and disability.” 

In their own words, the institute celebrates, explores and investigates the ways that acknowledge:

• Disability impacts all major theological disciplines as well as the many dimensions of religious life and faith community practices. 
• Theology and practice mutually inform and support one another. 
• Diverse perspectives enrich and inform theological formation and religious practice. 

While this is tricky enough on its own, with the ever-lingering concerns about health care, funding cuts and perceptions of who is or is not worthy of care and inclusion, these conversations are taking on a new intensity. Conversations of inclusion are not merely theoretical; they are practical. They include discussions of the lived experiences of those directly and indirectly impacted by disability, and advocating for a better world for all.

While many voices are welcome, a distinctive element of ITD is that the voices of those with disabilities are centered. Keynote talks and workshops cover a variety of topics—some theological, some philosophical—and always with a connection to practicality.

It isn’t the format where difference shows up, but instead the content and the presenters. The level of scholarship is high, with accommodations built in for the delivery. This is not the exception; it is the rule.

As good as the program and speakers were, the conversations that happened in the “between spaces” are priceless. Hallway discussions, where bodies of a wide variety of abilities mingled and moved, created space for communication about how what was just heard is lived in different settings. Workshops followed where all people were encouraged to share their stories, even when they included mess and pain.

Inside jokes and a wicked sense of humor emerged from the shared realization that the disability community is strong, resourceful and faces real challenges. The sense of shared belonging without the need to downplay differences was palpable.

This is important for those with minimal impairments. This is no place to extend pity nor to talk before listening and learning. The group is welcoming and inviting, but they are quick to assert their own competence and reject pity and condescension.

As faith communities become more aware of the prevalence of impairments, neurodiversity and a disabling world, faith leaders would benefit from attending ITD. And when they do, they will be welcomed in every way!