Disability issues
Churches welcome all people and strive to support those who have a disability. If you or a member of your family has a particular issue, the priest or churchwarden at your local church is a good starting point to talk through how the church could help you access services better.
The Safeguarding and Inclusion Department works with churches on how they can further their welcome to people who have disabilities. She highlights Jesus' words: "I have come that you may have life in all its fullness." This is what we, as a church, are charged to offer and to share with all in our communities.
In the Great Commission in Matthew chapter 28, Jesus told His disciples to: "go into all the world and make disciples of all people." Not the able bodied world, the sighted, hearing, walking, talking world, but all the world. We are to bring God’s Good News to all and to welcome all into our fellowship and the full life of our Church.
Guidance information has been produced to help churches in the Diocese of Winchester to consider the challenges raised by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Act presents an imperative to explore the issues and a huge opportunity to think about the needs of those who may be excluded – consciously or unconsciously from our shared life.
When considering the issues or the implications of a specific disability, it is vital to ask ourselves some questions.
- What will be the implications in the church?
- What barriers will the person face – both in terms of access and participation?
- Who needs to be trained / briefed on the issues?
We need to consider the full range of activities that take place within or as part of the Church, and ensure that they are accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities. As well as our regular members and local community, there are a range of people who may attend the church for specific reasons or services, in many of these situations they may be under pressure or stress, which may increase the effects of some disabilities. For example, if someone is getting married, a range of disabilities may cause them difficulties in remembering and repeating long sentences.
We need to consider how we may be able to present or deliver the service in a different manner to accommodate these needs.
The Diocesan Chancellor, the Worshipful Christopher Clarke QC, said: "Nowadays people suffering from a disability should never be allowed to feel that they are being treated as second-class citizens. The Disability Discrimination Act has been passed to give them the same opportunities of access and participation as any other person; and in a Christian Church it is of fundamental importance that people with disabilities should feel that they are taking an active part in the service. After all, it was part and parcel of the ministry of Jesus Christ to single out people with disabilities and address their individual needs."
He added: "I hope that congregations everywhere in the Diocese will understand the need to make our buildings and services available to all people as part of the mission of the Church. The process of adapting historic buildings is difficult and requires sensitivity, understanding and compromise."
Further advice on disability issues for churches and individuals in the Diocese can be obtained from the Safeguarding and Inclusion Department on 01962 737347.