Disability Inclusion in Africa: From Harmful to Life-Giving Theologies

Despite recent signs of change, people living with some form of disability continue to face discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion from full participation in public life, even within the church. In Africa particularly, those living with disabilities are often subject to stigma, abuse, and neglect, attitudes which can stem from misleading theologies. Bringing together experts from a range of disciplines, this collection of essays fills a longstanding need for scholarship on disability theology in African theological institutions. Contextually engaging with challenging topics, such as the perception of disability as punishment for sins and the doctrine of imago Dei in light of disability, readers are encouraged to critically reflect on theological understandings and approaches that cause harm instead of promoting disability inclusion. This vital work is a step towards a theology of inclusion, and to fostering more liberative, holistic and life-giving beliefs, attitudes and behaviours towards disability within the contexts of church and society today.