Allison Connelly-Vetter and Bekah Maren Anderson: Dismantling Ableism

Recent studies estimate that 1 in 4 people are disabled in some way, which is an indicator that we need to bring issues of ableism and disability justice to the fore-front. This week we we have on Allison Connelly-Vetter and Bekah Maren Anderson who do a lot of amazing advocacy work around disability justice. They break down some of the harmful ways we have interpreted scripture - especially Jesus' healing stories! - and show us a way that is more inclusive and celebratory of disable folks. Allison and Bekah also speak to the many ways that ableism rears its ugly head, even when we don't even realize it, and share just how intersectional the work of disability justice is.

If you are interested in how to make a world that is more inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all, this is the episode for you.

Episode Links

• Talila Lewis' 2022 definition of ableism
• 10 Principles of Disability Justice from Sins Invalid
• Stella Young's Ted Talk on inspiration porn
• More information about the UCC's Accessible to All program for churches to become certified as accessible and inclusive for disabled folks (similar to Open and Affirming or WISE)
• Here's where folks can order Nancy Eisland's The Disabled God
• Folks can connect with Allison and Bekah by emailing [email protected] 

About Allison Connelly Vetter
Allison Connelly-Vetter (she/her) received a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. While in graduate school she studied interdisciplinary approaches to disability theology and Madness and wrote a capstone thesis on Christian ableism and restorative justice. Allison regularly preaches and offers presentations and workshops on disability theology for religious congregations and communities across the country. She finds a spiritual home in both the United Church of Christ and in lay-led, non-canonical catholic communities. Allison is a co-convener of the Disability Theology Discussion Group, a spiritual reflection space created by and for disabled, neurodivergent, Mad/mentally ill, and chronically ill folks. Allison and her wife, Brooklyn, live in Minneapolis, MN, where Allison is the Children, Youth, and Families Program Coordinator for Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community and a faith organizer for the Center for Sustainable Justice.

About Bekah Maren Anderson
Bekah Maren Anderson (she/her) is a queer disabled writer, theologian, and activist. She has been writing and speaking about disability Ministry and Theology since 2016, earned her master of divinity from Union theological seminary in 2021, and currently serves as cochair for the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Board of  Directors. When not trapped in her inescapable desk, she can usually be found playing Dungeons and Dragons.

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