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Role of Churches towards ‘Inclusion’
P. Stephen, IRCDS
The Bible says:
• “Your attitude should be the same as that of the Savior (Jesus Christ): . . . taking the very nature of a servant . . .” (Phil. 2:5,7)
• “The blind and lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them” (Math. 21:14).
Holistic Health:Physical, Mental, Spiritual and emotional
PWD Act/ NTAct recognises the following disabilities
Blindness Low vision Leprosy cured Hearing impairment Locomotor/Physical disability Mental illness Mental retardation Multiple Disabilities Autism Cerebral Palsy
Role of Churches
• The church’s role is to embrace everyone with love and full dignity.
• The church is a place where all are accepted equally despite of their various differences.
• A Place for All: Inclusion of People with Disabilities ( PWDs)
Need for Inclusion
The church must consider the barriers that prevent anyone, especially those with disabilities, from entering into Jesus’ presence.
It is only when a child with a disability is born into the church or a church member is diagnosed with a disability that the church is forced to think about its response.
Accessibility
1. Worship : How sensitive is your church during the
worship services to those who have visual or hearing impaired?
Are large-print hymns and enlarged worship orders available?
What about hearing aids or sign language translation?
Contd…How accessible is the platform, pulpit, or choir
loft to those with physical disabilities? What about baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
Are people with disabilities full participants in these sacraments?
2.Church facility: Are ramps, elevators and lifts a part of the
church’s physical plant?
Contd…
Are bathrooms, toilets, halls and classrooms easily accessible?
What about disabled friendly parking?Are provisions made to transport people
from parking place to the churchAlthough accessibility seems to be a
practical issue, it is also a theological one.
How do I get inside the church? Do I have to pray from outside itself??
Theological questions?
These and other obstacles may prevent individuals with disabilities and their families from seeking a support system they so desperately need.
Families are often asking hard, sometimes theological questions about their situation: Why did this happen to us? Why did God allow this? As a result, the church’s role is to help, make sense or meaning of life.
Contd..
In many cases, the church is a place where families and individuals can grieve a perceived loss.
It is the church’s role to provide a safe place where individuals with disabilities and their families can receive acceptance and support.
It is the place where they are looked at with love and grace, instead of shame and embarrassment.
Practical ways for Inclusion in Churches
Capacity building of Church workers / Clergies Reasonable accommodation in the buildings &
Infrastructures. Effective participation in the Liturgical services Inclusion in Church based activities Information to access resources from Govt. and
other organizations Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Capacity building of church workers/pastors & clergies
Provide more opportunities for PWDs to become clergies etc.
Include disability rights & sign language in the curriculum of theological studies.
Link/Refer the clergies with NGOs working on disability for intern ship/fieldwork/exposure etc
Include the disability component in the regular trainings and review meetings.
Ensuring Reasonable accommodation in the buildings
Make seminaries/theological colleges/churches disabled friendly Taking decisions to implement all the existing buildings could be
suitably modified- Eg. ramp, bath room, toilet, wash basin, water taps
Sign board in the church premises – male, female & disabled friendly toilets etc.
Church Notice board should be fixed at low levels with bold letters
Availability of wheel chairs in the churches for PWDs and Senior Citizens
Youth group volunteers can take responsibilities for taking care of wheel chair users on rotation basis
Contd..
Sign board in the church premises – male, female & disabled friendly toilets etc.
Church Notice board should be fixed at low levels with bold letters
Availability of wheel chairs in the churches for PWDs and Senior Citizens
Youth group volunteers can take responsibilities for taking care of wheel chair users on rotation basis
Effective participation in the Liturgical services
Hymns and bible reading chapter and verses should be displayed in the board ( digital board or white /black board)
Sign language interpreter can be used during festivals/ occasions/Mass prayer meetings
Confession, holy communion – follow disabled friendly approaches
Pastor/Priest provide communion to the severe PWDs by visiting their houses periodically
Contd… Inclusion of PWDs in Bible reading, choir services
Inclusion of CWDs as alter boys/girls
Observation of International Day of PWDs ( 3rd Dec) in the churches, dedication of special services/prayers etc.
Inclusion in church based activitiesInclusion of children with disabilities ( CWDs)
in Sunday school /Catechism class. Inclusion of PWDs in groups/committees
functioning at church level.Minimum reservation for PWDs in the
leadership position in Groups /Core Committees
Priority to be given for the PWDs at the time of offering , communion, receiving blessings etc ( in the “Q”)
Contd…
When conducting cultural programmes, role play at church level disability component could be included ( positive attitude, causes of disability, disability rights etc.)
Inclusion in cultural events and sports meetsPastors / Priest visit the PWD families and
conduct prayers periodically .Referral services – Health, Education,
Livelihood etc
Contd…
Church Associations and Church based Institutions – can include “disability” in their organizational policies and systems.
Few Sunday collections ( offerings earmarked for the development of PWDs)
Include PWDs when any benefits extended to vulnerable groups/families ( e.g., Widow, single women, destitute etc)
Reservation of funds for the development of PWDs from the offerings/ church fund.
Information to access resources from the Govt. and other Organizations
Pastors/ Priests – collect data/ details about the PWDs at Church or parish level through youth volunteers , collect the information on Govt schemes/ CSO programmes and facilitate to access the same.
Information of Govt. welfare schemes, application formats - available in the presbytery /Youth groups etc.
Disability related forthcoming information/ Govt. schemes could be announced in the Sunday masses and to be displayed in the church notice boards
Promoting the Rights of PWDs
Get information under Right to information Act to ensure the utilization of 3% in Govt Poverty alleviation schemes, reservation in Education, Employment and BFE
Disability related issues could be discussed in the church group/committee meetings ( Eg. Development committee)
Create awareness among partner churches about the needs and rights of PWDs
Contd…
Dialogue with the Govt and Private- Institutions, companies, factories, Industries to create accessible environment for PWDs.
When submitting memorandums to the Govt. could include the needs/issues of PWDs as well.
Contd…
Church newsletters could have the information on disability – prevention, rehabilitation, barriers, rights etc
Provide counseling to people who are approaching for marriage – blood relative, early marriage
Project proposals to be inclusive
