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Columbia, Missouri
Disability Inclusion and Advocacy

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Trip Type

Reach Trip - These trips are a mix of hands-on service and educational pieces. They teach about the topic through service and then focus on learning about how the justice focus is part of a larger, systemic issue. Learn more about the different between Connect Trips and Reach Trips by clicking here.

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Ages

Middle School Students, High School Students, College Students, Adults​

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Maximum Group Size

25 people, including adults

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Available Dates​​

  • June 15 to 20, 2025

  • June 22 to 27, 2025

  • June 29 to July 4, 2025

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Disabilities are a unique category of life experience, which directly impact some 1 billion people, and many more by personal extension. Yet, the church often struggles to speak directly to the concept of disabilities, failing to address accommodation needs within their congregations, community-oriented justice needs, and points of advocacy. 

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Groups participating in Columbia, MO (COMO)’s Disability Justice, Advocacy, and Inclusion week will learn about the concept of disability from a Disciples-focused theological perspective, identify barriers to justice, and begin the process of developing a voice for advocacy and inclusion in their own contexts. Your group will have the opportunity to learn from scholars working in academic disability theology fields and practitioners in disability support programs, work alongside local disability justice advocates, attend local political meetings pertaining to disability rights, and develop a critical lens for combating ableism in the church. The diversity of disabilities will be highlighted in working and worshiping alongside young adults with developmental disabilities and older adults with degenerative disabilities. Your group will have time to discern personal relationships with disabilities, their bodies, and their minds as they critique and reflect on concepts like ‘normalcy’ and ‘belonging,’ and will together uncover intersections of ability and race, gender, sexuality, and class. Groups will leave better equipped to work toward advocacy and inclusion, crafting a vision for disability justice in their own hearts, faith spaces, and communities. 

 

Be The Neighbor’s summer programming begins on Sunday evening and concludes on Friday morning. You may stay an additional night to explore see the city in this location for an additional $10 per person. Check out is 10 am Saturday morning.


Trip costs follow our equitable pricing model. You can read more about it here. We want everyone to be able to participate no matter their financial realities. Regardless of which level you select, your trip includes: 

 

  • A simple breakfast, lunch and snack Monday morning through Friday morning

  • A dedicated Site Director and Intern(s) to facilitate your week

  • Fully planned service and educational experiences

  • Theological reflections created to engage participants in connecting what they are learning to their faith

  • Lodging, including showers, dedicated sleeping rooms, gathering rooms, and kitchens use - most sites include air mattresses or cots for all of your participants

  • Costs covered for honorariums for speakers, activities, supplies for projects with community partners, and any entrance fees for educational experiences

  • A reusable water bottle for each participant

  • Discussion guides for small groups on Reach trips and small group interactive education led by BTN staff on Connect trips

  • Journals for each participant

  • Online orientation for your adult leaders 

  • A coupon code to get t-shirts at-cost (shirts will be included at the Neighbor pricing level)

 

Please note that your group will be responsible for dinners and transportation during the week.

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