Being disabled and disability theology: insights from and for Catholic social teaching

A recent report in the UK, Being Disabled in Britain: A Journey Less Equal highlights the many inequalities, threats to dignity and discriminatory attitudes faced by disabled people. No doubt these are replicated in other countries. Using the evidenced-based findings from this report and the report’s invitation for those concerned to join the conversation on disability, this paper explores both the way in which the experiences of people with disabilities can sharpen up an understanding of Catholic social teaching and the way in which that teaching contributes to a deeper theology of disability. Moreover insights from this teaching demonstrate that people with disabilities contribute significantly and positively to society and to interpersonal relationships.