If the church doesn’t rise up for the disabled, who will? 

(RNS) — We are watching systems designed to care for our nation’s most vulnerable begin to shrink.

On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel issued a memorandum threatening the Olmstead v. L.C. decision, the 1999 ruling protecting the right of people with disabilities to live in their communities. The slip opinion is “inconsistent with long-standing interpretations of federal disability rights law embraced by courts and administrations of both parties.” The U.S. Department of Education also announced recently that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education and rehabilitative services, while DOJ will handle civil rights activities. Federal officials insist these changes reduce bureaucracy and ensure stronger service coordination.

Perspectives on these recent federal actions vary widely within the disability community. Some disability advocates interpret the memorandum as federal officials seeking to strengthen access to care for adults with serious mental illness, while others believe the DOJ’s slip opinion signals a move toward broader institutionalization across the disability community as a whole. On the issue of education, consensus exists among advocates: shifting administrative responsibilities to DOJ and HHS will cause confusion, delay claims and weaken enforcement of education and civil rights laws. 

These changes follow April 2025 comments by a senior HHS official who said nonverbal individuals with autism “will never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job,” and “autism destroys families.” Such deficit-focused language against any segment of the disability community — and the latest announcements — pave the way for significant, troubling changes to the nation’s social safety net.

As we face these reminders of the inhumanity of government systems, an important question arises: Who will care for those no longer held by the safety net? I believe Scripture calls the church to step up.

The biblical mandate: Gut-wrenching justice and mercy

In Micah 6:8, the prophet distills God’s expectations regarding the marginalized: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

The original Hebrew word for justice, “mishpat,” means more than simply punishing wrongdoers. It refers to dismantling oppressive systems and proactively ensuring people — particularly society’s most vulnerable — receive their rights. Paired with this is “hesed,” translated as mercy or steadfast love, which describes a stubborn, unbreakable commitment to another person’s well-being.

Jesus perfectly embodied “mishpat” and “hesed.” The Greek word “splanchnizomai” describes his reaction to those suffering or excluded from society. This visceral, gut-level empathy demanded immediate action. Jesus didn’t simply feel compassion, mercy and grace toward people. He took action. He healed. He touched. And he restored people to the center of the community.

Throughout history, believers like William Wilberforce, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Billy Graham understood that this biblical mandate often required a countercultural response to the defining injustices of their day, such as the slave trade or segregation. The modern church has sometimes struggled to mirror this same gut-level, systemic justice.

The data tells a concerning story

Frankly, the church would benefit from a comprehensive examination of the disability community’s experiences within the American church. Although only sparse, somewhat dated data exists, a heartbreaking story emerges:

• 32.3% of special-needs families have left a church.
• 46.6% of special-needs parents avoid religious activities because their child was unwelcome or excluded.
• 45% of adults with disabilities attend church monthly, compared with 57% of adults without disabilities.

My late friend and colleague, Bobby Silverstein — disability rights champion and behind-the-scenes architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act — often said, “What gets measured gets done.” I couldn’t agree more. Changing church culture in this area begins with allocating resources to measure it.

This data gap provides a unique opportunity to closely examine our past and current systemic shortcomings. It is understandable that some may be reluctant to engage in such an undertaking, concerned about the potential findings. But better understanding the experiences of individuals, families and caregivers within our congregations can inform future efforts. Given that faith-based organizations with 15 or more employees must follow the ADA’s employment requirements, it’s imperative to understand these numbers as well.

Until we measure these realities, we cannot effectively address the cracks.

The next right step

Moving forward does not require first answering every question. The gospel calls us to simply take the next right step.

Formal training or a title isn’t necessary to pursue what I refer to as covenantal health. Covenantal health moves beyond piecemeal, individual accommodations to establish systematic accessibility. It pushes us to view disability as an ordinary aspect of church life rather than a hurdle to overcome or a project to manage. It recognizes that leveraging the gifts and anticipating the needs of the entire body of believers — including those impacted by disability — is essential for the church’s health, survival and growth.

If you’re a church leader, remind your community why this matters and ground it in the gospel. Share stories. Church members also have a responsibility to help leadership see the positive, life-changing impact of full, meaningful inclusion. Embrace progress over perfection. Don’t let the fear of doing it imperfectly stop you from doing it at all. Start with one family. Begin with one conversation.

We are called to a long obedience combined with holy impatience. The path forward undoubtedly requires flexibility. But we serve a God who draws the forgotten into the center of the fold.

It is time for the church to rise and look like the kingdom.

(Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg, born with cerebral palsy, uses her experience as a senior adviser in disability policy to improve policy at the national, state and local levels. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)