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On the 9th
November we will be celebrating the 10th
Anniversary of the publication ‘Valuing
Difference’ produced by the Bishop’s Conference
of England and Wales. This document gave a fresh
impetus with guidelines for enabling people with
disabilities to participate fully in the life
and mission of the Church.
It is worthwhile revisiting this document;
reasserting our efforts as a faith community and
considering the challenges that arise from an
examination of our church mission to minister to
those with a disability. Let us consider the
following questions. |
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Are children in special schools included in
parish sacramental programmes?
Are special arrangements made
where appropriate?
Are adults and children welcome in parish
ministries –
welcomers, altar servers, music ministry etc,
according to their gifts?
Is support available for parents who may need
it at particular times?
How inclusive is the invitation to proclaim
the gospel –
"let us stand to greet the gospel!" or "let us all
greet the gospel"?
People may need an invitation and
encouragement particularly if they
never see anyone else with a
disability exercising ministry or being
involved in parish
meetings and organisations.
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‘Valuing Difference’ is a Living document
working towards removing barriers.
Key things to remember are
to: |
- Appreciate the strengths of people as individuals –
rather than their limitations
- Communicate with and involve people in breaking down
barriers
- Avoid stereotypes,
assumptions, myths and misconception
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Myths can affect how people behave, even
when they know it is only a myth – such as
not walking under ladders etc.
Myths about people with a disability
likewise affect the way they are treated. |
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Myth:
People with disabilities are
dependent and need help |
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Truth: Being physically unable to do
something does not cause dependency – not being able to fly is
solved by using the services of an airline company. People with
disabilities require different services and it is only when
choice over those services is removed that dependency occurs. |
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Myth:
The expectations of people with
disabilities differ from others |
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Truth: People with disabilities go to
school, work, form relationships, wash, eat, get angry, laugh,
cry, have prejudices, plan, dream – like everybody else! |
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So how can we overcome these barriers? Here
are a few tips provided by people with disabilities:
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Look beyond someone’s outward appearance if it makes you
feel uncomfortable, which may be natural. Try to think of
the whole person. Avoid staring. Concentrate on what the
person is saying not on the way s/he looks.
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Shake hands – whatever form that person’s ‘hand’ may
take – as you would with anyone else, unless it is obvious
the person does not want to (for example, because it may
cause pain). If a person goes to extend their hand to you,
meet them as it may be difficult for her/him to extend it
fully.
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Try not to be embarrassed about using common
expressions, such as ‘see you later on’ or ‘I’ll be running
along then’, which may relate to a person’s ‘disability’
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Talk about the sort of things you would expect someone
to talk to you about – What you enjoy doing? Where you work?
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If you are talking with an adult, treat them like an
adult
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Try not to assume that because a person’s speech is not
fluent the brain is impaired too
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Refrain from using the word ‘disabled’ as a noun – ‘the
disabled’. It depersonalises people with disabilities
implying there is a homogenous group separate from the rest
of society which is no more the case than ‘the red-haired’.
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Labels are not helpful for anyone, whether suffering
with a disability or not. For example, the word ‘normal’ has
no real meaning if we are all different.
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Above all put yourself in their place.
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Most of these points are just about having ‘good
manners’!
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No matter what disabilities a person may
have there are some courtesies that apply to everyone. |
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If someone looks as if they need assistance, offer
it and wait for your offer to be accepted before you
help. Try not to assume you know the best way of helping
– listen to any instruction you are given.
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Try not to make assumptions about people’s abilities
or needs. Remember some people have hidden impairments
or medical conditions or a mental health problem.
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If you are not sure how something might affect a
person with a disability ask her/him for advice.
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Our focus throughout this 10th Anniversary
year is to place ‘Valuing Difference’
at the heart of
Community life taking practical steps to make people feel
welcome and included in every area of our church life by
developing our
own ‘Disability Ministry’.
Let us be
as One in Celebrating Difference and embracing not so
much a person’s disability but their Liveability!
leave this
page |
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