St. Thomas à Becket Foundation 
making a difference
 
 
 

A new regular feature

 

Making a World
of Difference

By
Roy McCloughry
and
Wayne Morris
 
‘If the much needed radical change in our attitude to disability is to come about then we must realise that disability is about rights not charity, and empowerment not pity. Only by working together for equality and celebrating diversity can we become the truly inclusive community we are meant to be.’   Roy McCloughry

Making a World of Difference seeks to respond to the agenda being set by people with disabilities.  The slogan ‘Nothing about us without us’  underlies the changes brought about by the disability movement, with its emphasis on the empowerment of individuals with a disability and the importance of empowerment as an issue of human rights.

In their book Roy McCloughry and Wayne Morris encourage people to reflect on the implications of relating disability to the Christian faith.  By featuring a number of case studies, and drawing on a wealth of personal experience, they offer practical advice on what individuals and churches can do to make a difference.

 
Ten Steps Forward
Here is a list of ten ways in which local churches could do something practical.
1 Identify people within the congregation who have impairments.  One in seven people are disabled so there should be members in your church.  Engage with and listen to disabled people within the church and the community, as they are experts on how they can best be included in the church.
2 Become aware of the needs of those who are Carers in your church, and offer support in whatever ways are helpful.  Be sensitive in your approach and respect whatever response is given to your offer.
3 Re-evaluate physical access to your church community.  Good physical access is part of the Church’s call to inclusion and mission.  What are the financial priorities as a church?  Are they more important than providing access to the church for people with a disability?
4 Implement a Healing Charter.  Train those intercessors who pray for healing in the church.  Make a public commitment to treat one another with dignity and compassion as Jesus does.
5 Re-evaluate your teaching and preaching programmes.  What kind of teaching do you offer on disability issues at all levels of your church’s teaching programme? Become aware of the presence of people with disabilities when you preach on subjects such as the healing narratives.
6 Ensure that people with disabilities, like other members of the congregation, are able to use their gifts within the church.  Do they have access to all areas of the church?
7 Put on a ‘disability awareness day’ for your church or for a group of churches in your area.
8 Encourage inclusive and positive attitudes to people with disabilities in the children’s work and youth work.
9

Be willing to examine how you use language as a church, socially and in teaching, preaching and liturgy.  Listen to people with disabilities about how they respond to the use of language in the church.

10 Where possible include people with disabilities in music, administrative work, prayer groups, pastoral care, preaching, and other forms of leadership.