Let’s face it folks, one of the major concerns that occurs with advancing years is that of disability. And few of us are exempt from some form of disability, ranging from sensory impairments, such as vision and hearing losses, to physical disabilities and a myriad of other disabilities. One out of every five Americans has some sort of disability, and the occurrence of disability does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time, at any place, in any circumstance. The intent of this column is to raise awareness by posing questions regarding how churches in this diocese handle disability access and to offer resources that may assist individuals and congregations in enhancing access.
So what are we doing in our congregations to create an inclusive environment for people with disabilities? Let’s take vision for example. As the number of older people increases, so does the number of people with low or poor vision. The causes are varied, ranging from cataracts to macular degeneration to glaucoma to diabetic retinopathy. Low vision refers to a condition of visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected by glasses or other aids. Is the lighting such that a person with low vision can see? Have you ever wanted to say, “Please turn up the lights?”
Large print and certain fonts make reading more efficient and comfortable for people with low vision. Are the orders of service printed in a font that is readable? The truth is that there is more to a “readable font” than simply enlarging the usual order of service to a 16-point font. Often that size is not adequate. However, materials designed with readability in mind are available from Cokesbury, the publishing house that now handles Church Publishing Incorporated materials. Examples of these materials include the Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal, and gospel readings. The website can be found in the list of resources at the end of this column.
And do we make it possible for individuals with low vision to participate in leadership roles within the congregation? What about clergy with visual impairments? In researching this column, a member of the clergy pointed out that churches will usually accommodate a rector who experiences gradual vision loss. But would churches consider calling a rector with existing low vision?
And then there is hearing loss. Hearing loss can begin insidiously as a young adult, gradually becoming more pronounced over the years. Are we making it possible for individuals with hearing loss in our congregations to hear the spoken word and feel actively engaged in the services?
This brings us to the critical issue of physical access to church buildings. Most churches now have ramps that provide access to church sanctuaries. But what about the other buildings? Can a person with mobility issues join in coffee hour fellowship? Can that same person attend educational or spiritual enrichment programs held on the church’s property?
In 2001, the Bethsaida Team was formed in the Diocese of Newark. One of the major tasks of the Bethsaida Team was to increase the number of churches that were physically accessible. In addition, the team was charged with providing information and support to congregations, as each congregation faced its own access issues. The challenges for the teams and the congregations were huge. The subsequent diocesan profile of 2005 pointed out that over 85% of the churches in the diocese were built before 1942. Disability access was not a consideration in the architectural design of churches at that time.
For six years, the Bethsaida Team conducted workshops in individual churches and at the annual diocesan convention. In addition, the team sponsored a diocesan-wide event entitled, “We Won’t Come If We Can’t Go” which included experts in design construction, fund-raising, historic building designation and its benefits, and green solutions to get congregations started in planning for physically accessible churches. The Bethsaida Team dissolved in 2008 due to members’ health, family, and work concerns.
In the Bethsaida Team’s final report to the diocese, they pointed out that there are three remaining issues for churches in the diocese and the diocese itself. The first is moving from physical accessibility to full inclusiveness for people with disabilities in the life of a congregation. The second is accommodation for people with disabilities in public meetings and diocesan events, etc. And the third is the active outreach of churches and the diocese to the community of people with disabilities, offering accessible church homes for people who are disabled and unchurched. The work of the New Jersey Coalition of Inclusive Ministries shows that families who have members with disabilities, either adult or child, are eager for a church that will include them.
As congregations now face the reality of decreasing attendance, dwindling financial reserves, aging members and aging buildings, the problem of disability access is becoming more acute. Is it realistic to expect congregations to obtain the financial resources needed to ensure access? What is the current state of disability access in the diocese? Is it time for another survey and some realistic thinking about what we are doing in our congregations?
Resources are available, ranging from help for individuals to help for congregations. The Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation located in Newark at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School offers comprehensive services to individuals and families facing the challenges of low vision. For congregations contemplating changes in accessibility, two excellent resources, the Accessibility Survey and 50 Ways to Make Your Parish Accessible, are available by sending an email request to the Senior Ministries Commission at seniors@dionewark.org.
The Episcopal Disability Network, through its website, offers services that encourage and support the ministries of persons with disabilities in lay and ordained leadership along with other services designed to enhance welcome practices and accessibility. In addition, helpful materials are available through the Disability Awareness website of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
Of the 102 congregations currently active in this diocese, it is likely that most are not fully accessible due to the realities of economic and financial constraints faced and the aging buildings. But we can still work toward maximizing access by taking simple steps to make our congregations welcoming and inclusive communities. In other words, let’s turn up the lights on disability in our congregations.
Resources:
Accessibility Survey: send email request to seniors@dionewark.org
American Printing House for the Blind: www.aph.org
Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation: Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 90 Bergen St., Newark, NJ 07103, 973-972-2020
Cokesbury Publishing: www.cokesbury.com
Disability Awareness of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan: www.da-edomi.org
Episcopal Disability Network: www.episcability.org
New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Ministries: Associated with Rutgers/RWJMS http://www.rwjms.rutgers.edu/boggscenter/projects/NJCoalitionforInclusiveMinistries.html
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services: Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired: www.nj.gov/humanservices/cbvi
50 Ways to Make Your Parish Accessible with Little or No Cost: send email request to seniors@dionewark.org
