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REVOLUTIONARY COMMON SENSE LIBRARY
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Religion and Disability:
Are All Welcome?
Revolutionary Common Sense by Kathie Snow
www.disabilityisnatural.com
(This article focuses on Judeo-Christian faiths, because those are what I’m most familiar with. I hope this article is applicable to other religions, too. The omission of other faiths should not be construed as an intentional act of exclusion.)
Six adults sit together on the front pew at church. The Six have just come from Sunday School—the Fish Class—a special class created just for them (adults with developmental disabilities). At the church’s Thanksgiving dinner, they sit quietly together, apart from the camaraderie shared by the children, teens, parents, and elders of the congregation. They’re “in” the church—the Six were “adopted” by the church as a group—but they’re not really part of the congregation. They are not included.
In another town, Sofia, Robert, and their three children attend Sunday
School and worship services every Sunday. The two boys scamper down
the hall to their respective classrooms. Sofia drops four-year-old
Rebekah at the church nursery—Rebekah,
who has Down syndrome, is not allowed to attend the preschool class since she’s
not yet potty-trained. Sofia’s not crazy about this, but she thinks it
might not be such a big deal: there’s a child in the nursery who’s
older than Rebekah (a six-year-old who has cerebral palsy). Maybe the church
knows best—Sofia doesn’t want to cause trouble in the House of
God.
Another family no longer attends church together. Mom and one son attend
the early service. Dad attends the later service. Someone has to be home
with twelve-year-old Jared, who has autism. The Sunday School teachers
and the minister said Jared can’t come to church anymore—he’s too “disruptive.”
Eighteen-year-old Ellie likes the people and the services at the synagogue
her family recently joined. But she hates that she and her power chair
take up half the center aisle—she feels like an “obstruction.” Unfortunately,
she has only one option: to park herself in the back, out of everyone’s
way.
Philosophically, churches, synagogues, and other places of worship would
seem to be havens of inclusion for people with disabilities and other
differences. Traditionally, organized religion has been perceived as
the helper/rescuer of the “downtrodden”—reaching out to the “less fortunate,” helping “the
poor,” and so forth.
As the examples above demonstrate, however, reality tells a far different
story for thousands—if not millions—of children and adults with developmental
disabilities and their families. For it seems that the prejudice, exclusion,
and isolation which are prevalent in greater American society also live and
breathe within our religious houses. And why not? Leaders and members of churches
and synagogues are human beings who are obviously not exempt from the widespread
influence of negative and stereotypical beliefs about individuals with disabilities.
The road to hell, it’s said, is paved with good intentions, and good
intentions abound within organized religion. What can we do when these intentions
result in the exclusion or isolation of children and adults with disabilities?
What can we do to ensure all are welcome in our churches and synagogues?
We can educate religious leaders and congregations, and boldly
ask for what we need! The following suggestions may help create
positive change in your place of worship.
Involve children and adults with disabilities, and
their family members, in these efforts. Let people speak for themselves about what supports
or accommodations they need to participate and be included—don’t assume! Then ask
the direct question, “Who’s willing to help with this?” We
need to ask for exactly what we need!
Evaluate the building, meeting rooms, services, and activities. Identify the physical and attitudinal barriers that may be preventing
people with disabilities from inclusive participation in age-appropriate
activities.
Meet with religious leaders to (1) educate them about the importance
of using People First Language and acquiring new attitudes and
perceptions, (2) help them learn that people with disabilities are more like
people without disabilities than different, (3) point out the barriers you
discovered, and (4) offer suggestions for improvements. (Remember
that religious organizations and their activities are exempt from
the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights laws.)
Use every “pulpit” available to reach as many people as possible:
the real one in the worship hall (give a guest sermon!), as well by meeting
with Sunday School classes, adult and youth groups, etc.
Detail how others will benefit from making positive changes,
such as people who may acquire disabilities through the aging
process, those with temporary disabilities (a broken leg), and
so forth.
Demonstrate an attitude of excitement and possibility, instead of criticism
or anger. Believe that most people are not mean-spirited
or rude; they may simply be uneducated about people with disabilities
and differences.
Recommend the adoption of a written “inclusion policy” which details
what the church/synagogue will do to ensure the active participation and inclusion
of all people in age-appropriate activities. This policy could include things
like: ensuring people with disabilities are involved in leadership roles, with
supports as necessary; a Sunday School class (or other activity) will be moved
to the ground floor to accommodate a person who uses a mobility device (assuming
the building has no elevator); modified texts will be provided; and so forth.
Before this policy can be implemented, changes may need to be made in the building
or activities. The adoption and adherence of a written policy can turn “good
intentions” into reality.
Discuss strategies to reach out to people with
disabilities and differences in your community.
Promote your inclusive church/synagogue to the
general public. Get the media involved!
Creating a “special needs” committee is not necessary or desirable.
The responsibility for including all members should be shared across all existing
committees and throughout the congregation. Isolating it to one committee sends
the signal that only that committee is responsible and/or knowledgeable.
Examining how people with disabilities are
treated in our places of worship can lead to
a critical analysis of other activities which,
in turn, can lead to positive change. A church
in our town held a “sharing day” every
three months. The fellowship hall was filled with donated clothing, household
goods, and other items. The “poor and needy” could browse and select
the items they needed. “Church ladies” attended the tables of goods
and roamed the hall to help. Sounds good on the surface, but what did it feel
like to the “poor and needy”? They entered a hall where the dividing
line between the “haves” and the “have-nots” was clear.
The church later adopted a way of helping that didn’t strip people of
their dignity: private, individual appointments for the Clothes Closet, meeting
one-on-one with a volunteer.
And let’s not forget private church schools. I’m amazed at the
number of parents who wish to enroll their children with disabilities in their
church’s private school, only to be told no. How, in good conscience,
can religious leaders allow this?
Inclusion begets inclusion. Many benefits
will accrue to people with disabilities and
our communities when churches/synagogues
are inclusive. Children who are included
can make new friends and enjoy typical (and
important) activities of childhood. Adults
who are fully included will be networking
with others and developing friendships, which can
lead to real jobs, independent living, and more.
People without disabilities learn that people with
disabilities are more like them than different.
An inclusive church/synagogue can deepen and enrich religious experiences
and individual faith. And doesn’t God
want the welcome mat out for all?
Visit www.nod.org (National Organization on Disability) for more information on religion and disability.
©2002-06 Kathie Snow, www.disabilityisnatural.com. Permission is granted for non-commercial use of this article: you may print this web page and photocopy it to share with others. Click here to download the PDF handout version of the article. As a courtesy, please tell me (kathie@disabilityisnatural.com) how/when you use it. Do not violate copyright laws: request permission before reprinting or republishing in newsletters, on websites, or in other media
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Our words reflect the way we think, so let's get rid of descriptors like "handicapped, physically disabled, mentally retarded, learning disabled" and other words that focus on the condition instead of the person. People First Language promotes dignity and respect for all!
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