This Capstone Project sought to investigate and measure the process of social change in the community setting of a Christian church. A committee of stakeholders came together with a common passion to engage and integrate individuals of varying disabilities at all levels of church participation. As a new committee, stakeholders agreed to use the cyclical process of Participatory Action Research (PAR) to guide them in creating an action plan for promoting this congregational change. The occupational therapist served on the committee as both a co-facilitator and researcher.
While the primary purpose of the project was to objectively measure the degree of progress made towards creating a more inclusive environment, a secondary purpose was to gain a better understanding of how to promote participation and engagement for disabled individuals within a faith-based community. The lessons learned from engaging in PAR may also provide the field of occupational therapy more information about conducting this type of research in faith based community settings
