By Rev. Rebecca L. Holland, Disability Ministry Task Force, Chair
This is an excerpt from the full article which can be found at disabilityumc.org/2019/12/13/accessibleworship/
Creating an inclusive worship space is about more than just putting in an elevator or adding accessible restrooms. It is wonderful if a church can make these physical changes, but it is important to create an environment where all people feel welcome.
Here are some ideas for how your church can start to make your worship services and other activities more inclusive for people with disabilities.
1. Basic hospitality goes a long way.
Please do not stare, whisper, or make assumptions about people with disabilities. This may seem like a simple and straightforward notion, but you would be surprised how many people react when they encounter a person with a disability. I encourage you to take some time to talk to your congregation about what it means to be a church that models radical hospitality...2. Please don’t give parents the stink eye if their children are acting out.
Conversely, please don’t assume that a person with a disability wouldn’t make a good parent. If you see children who are being loud or acting out, please don’t think negative thoughts about their parents. There is a possibility that the child who is being loud could have autism or other special needs. It can be very challenging for parents of children with special needs to bring their children to church...A truly inclusive church is one in which people and families with disabilities can find love, support, and acceptance. The church should be a safe place for all families, not one more place where people with disabilities face more unfounded judgements.
3. Consider hiring an ASL interpreter, installing a hearing loop, or using some form of technology to provide captions.
According to Rev. Mary Dyer, a retired minister who is deaf and now has a cochlear implant, there are many roadblocks that prevent both clergy and laity from realizing and understanding the need for assistive listening technology...There are grants available for churches who want to extend outreach to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Go to www.umdeaf.org/fund.html for more information.
4. Have large print hymnals and bulletins available.
If you use visual aides such as pictures, take a moment to describe what is on the screen or the item you are holding. Make sure that there are always at least three large print hymnals and three large print copies of the order of worship available...If you use a slideshow, consider making it available online or e-mailing it to members of your congregation with low vision before the worship service...
5. Gluten free options can help to make communion accessible for everyone.
Everyone is welcome at God’s table. You do not need to be a specific age or even a church member in order to receive Holy Communion. Having a gluten free option available helps to ensure that even people who are allergic to gluten can still partake of the Eucharist. It is also important to bring the sacrament of communion to those who are not able to physically attend worship...I hope that these ideas will help to inspire you to think of ways your church can be more inclusive to people with disabilities. If you ever want to be helpful to a person with a disability but are unsure how to do so, simply ask that person...
People with disabilities are an important part of the body of Christ. We are all children of God and we are all made in God’s image.
Read the full article at disabilityumc.org/2019/12/13/accessibleworship/
