A
guide to thinking about Disability
Somebody may have
come to your Church once and vowed never to darken your doors again, because
there has been no provision made for their impairment and there was nobody
present, who was either willing or able to assist or support them when needed.
The acceptance of people with individual needs into your building should be
anticipated, not reacted to.
This guide
has been written to try to answer the question, "How can we make provision
to support people with impairments"? It is intended for stewards (both
property and society), preachers, worship leaders and church council members.
It is concerned with practical issues, and includes some thoughts on employment
both of ordained and non-ordained people. This paper does NOT address
attitudinal problems; anybody thinking about physical access also needs to
concern themselves about the attitude to disabled people demonstrated by
themselves and those around them.
The
Methodist Conference in 2006 accepted a report 'Presbyters and Deacons Affected
by Impairment', the report on this can be found at www.methodist.org.uk/downloads/Conf06_impairment_pc.doc.
which should be read alongside this present paper. The
If you are seeking an
expert, then look around, there are lots of people with impairments about, they
are experts in their specific disability. You already have experts concerning
your building - yourselves. There are also various charitable organisations
which specialise in particular impairments. ‘Through the Roof’ offer general
advice on issues of access and inclusion, their ‘Roofbreaker Guide’, which
includes theological perspectives of disability, is extremely helpful and has
recently been updated with the help of Jo Stephens (both are mentioned in the
resources page at the end).
A number of
people have contributed ideas and suggestions to ensure that this paper is both
user friendly and accurate, I do not intend to name them here but readily
acknowledge that any inaccuracies are errors are my sole responsibility.
If you want to
discuss disability matters related to your premises, please contact me. I will
do what I can to assist by phone. It would be helpful if you could e-mail to me photographs and sketches; if it
is necessary I will come to your church to look at the problem for myself and
to meet with those property stewards responsible and discuss issues with them.
My contact details are in the District directory. I often find that individuals
contact me to attempt to re-enforce their own opinion. I will not always do
that. However, I will give what appears to me to be to correct answer in
accordance with the legislation.
If any reader of this
paper spots what they feel to be an inaccuracy or error, please let me know
your thoughts, where appropriate I shall be pleased to correct the information.
I claim no expertise, I am just a collector and distributor of information
shared with me by others.
Bob Finch
Beds, Essex and
Herts. District
Disability Awareness
Advisor.
What is disability?
This guide is based
on the social model of disability, that is that people with an impairment are
impaired by their physical and social surroundings and barriers, not by their
own situation.
Disability and long
term medical conditions include:
Arthritic joints Wheelchair use Blindness and visual impairment
Dyslexia Hearing
loss Incontinence Learning difficulty
Mental frailty Missing limbs Muscular weaknesses
Reduced/excessive
growth Dementia Poor
memory
This paper looks at
each of these situations in turn, also included are references to a variety of
long and short term illnesses and impairments including Epilepsy, Schizophrenia,
Aspergers Syndrome and a wide range of other situations. Employment of people
with impairments both in and by the Church is also considered.
Some people suffer from dual
or multiple impairments, which create
extra challenges. Able-bodied people cannot and should not decide who is a
disabled person as many impairments are hidden. Provision should be made to
ensure that nobody is placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to others.
The responsibility for that provision rests on everybody but church trustees
and property officers are ultimately responsible for taking appropriate action.
People with disabilities also have a responsibility in that
they need to tell others what would assist them in order to make them feel
totally included.
N.B. Toilets are NOT
disabled, they might be, 'designed for people of reduced mobility' or they
might be 'Accessible Toilets' but never, I hope, 'disabled' (nor store-rooms).
The Law
The Disability
Discrimination Act 1995 (mainly Sections 20 and 21) and various regulations
state that property owners and managers are required to, 'take reasonable steps' to alter or remove a feature of a building
where a service is provided (no pun there), in order that a person with an
impairment will be able to use the building to the same extent as other people.
If
trustees and other responsible people fail to comply with the law, they could
be held personally financially responsible in the courts.
The purpose of the legislation
is to ensure that all facilities are accessible to all people, so far as is
possible and reasonable.
‘Reasonable’ is not defined but the law does not intend to create total chaos or
financial instability whilst it does require reasonable adjustments to take
place to support people with individual needs. Doing nothing is not an option,
at the very least a potential situation must be considered and reasons for
action or inaction documented.
A wide range of
publications and advice leaflets are available to send for. Some are mentioned
at the back of this leaflet. Would it be unreasonable
to fail to send for them? Would it be unreasonable
to say, "Oh we can't afford any of that", and do nothing? Would it be
unreasonable, when offered the
chance to discuss what can or could be done, not to do so?
It is necessary to
show that action to conform to the
Act has been taken. It is important that decisions made are recorded in minutes
of meetings. Sources of funding are mentioned towards the end of this paper.
This paper outlines
issues to consider. It cannot be comprehensive, as each building and each
impairment will be different. You must do what is necessary in your
circumstances. This is a booklet giving some ideas - you must decide what has
to be done.
Arthritis
Turning, twisting,
sitting, standing, walking and lifting problems.
Changing taps and
door-knobs from twisting to lever-operated can be helpful; in the case of taps
it may mean just changing the top part of the tap, not a full re-plumbing job.
A few soft cushions
might help those who find sitting a problem (they will tell you if you ask). At
least 10% of chairs should have arms and be made available to those who need them.
This will help movement and provide support for those who need it.
Ensure that light
switches operate easily.
Ensure electrical
sockets are easily accessible and preferably at waist height.
Changing plugs on
mobile electrical equipment to plugs with full circle grips is helpful.
Door handles (not
knobs) that move easily and keys that work first time are a benefit to all.
Constantly expecting
people to stand then sit then stand again can be distressing. The words,
"if you are able" or "or sit with enthusiasm" can help
people feel more comfortable with their worship.
Visually Impaired people
Buildings
Signs and notices
need to be in good contrast. Black or dark blue on a pastel coloured background
are helpful (glossy white backgrounds shine and dazzle some people).
Switches surrounded
by contrasting colours (white switch with dark blue switch surround) are
helpful to all. It is often the case that switch surrounds can be obtained only
in clear plastic. This may be an opportunity for the young people of the church
to provide some coloured inserts to give the necessary contrast.
Toilet door notices
that are identified by labels with different contrasting backgrounds and
appropriate words in Braille should be standard.
Clear glass doors and
panels must have something visible at eye level (both adult and children's eye
level) to show that they are there.
Steps edged with
clear white strips or edges painted white or some appropriate contrast are
essential. This is referred to in technical documents as a 'visible nose'.
Slopes should be outlined top and bottom, and look and feel different
underfoot.
Large print and
BOLD print should
be considered in publications.
Visually impaired people
Worship
Ensure that clear lists of hymns and bible readings are
available before the start of worship to help people find the appropriate
places in advance of needing them. Bookmarks should be made available to place
in hymn books and bibles so that places can be found in advance and then
re-found promptly at the appropriate part of the service.
Preachers and readers should be encouraged to announce the
first line of a hymn as well as the hymn number (some people rely on memory)
and if not using all the verses of a hymn or bible reading to say clearly which
verses will be used.
The Methodist Resources catalogue has available Braille Hymn
books (£10.00, page 11) and Worship books in large print (£15.75, page 4).
Projected items should be prepared with no more than seven
words on a line and no more than five lines on a page. The print should be in Arial bold
(no serifs). Print
copies should be supplied for those who cannot see the screen. Pictures on the
projector need to be in strong colours with printed copies available for those
unable to see the projection.
Hearing Impairment
Not all hearing-impaired people wear hearing aids and some
people find them less than helpful. Support can be provided, which will help
many.
Those wearing hearing aids may hear much better if a loop
system is used. If questions are asked or discussions take place, either a
microphone should move around, or the chairperson, through a microphone, should
repeat the questions or points being made. A preacher seeking information from
the congregation should ensure that answers are repeated so that all can know
what has been said.
If loop systems in adjoining rooms are in use at the same
time, a hearing aid will probably pick up signals from both loops; spatial
separation is needed and people are best located at least 10 feet away from the
adjoining system.
Microphone training for speakers will avoid difficulties for
all, particularly those with hearing difficulties. Loud speakers need to be effective
and the best for the job. Beware of multiple echoes caused by loud speaker
signals bouncing off hard surfaces. Experience shows that what sound good in an
empty room can be lost in a room full of people, the reverse also applies. The
only true test is actual use accompanied by an understanding of the nature of
sound absorption.
Clear signs and notices avoid hearing impaired people having
to ask for help.
Speakers should FACE THE AUDIENCE/CONGREGATION and speak
naturally, a little more slowly than normal but retaining normal speech rhythm.
Most of us see as well as hear what is being said; hearing impaired people can
sometimes receive up to 80% of their information visually. A sermon delivered
from the pulpit can normally be seen as well as heard. Preachers should be
discouraged from shielding their faces, from moving about and from lowering
their voices.
Readers, particularly youngsters, should be discouraged from
speaking quickly.
Preachers should avoid changing the published order of
service. Some worshippers may have no idea what is being said but can tell when
a hymn is being announced or a reading from the bible started - it is
embarrassing to start singing the wrong hymn, or using the wrong hymn book.
For some people, a lip speaker or a sign language
interpreter may be needed; is somebody available? Could you locate somebody if
needed? Is a member prepared to be trained? Many schools now teach British Sign
Language, does your church have young people with these skills?
Dyslexia
Clear signs and notices with aids in visual form will help
many people including those, who are dyslexic. If labels are kept simple people
can often work them out and a picture may help.
Never assume confidence in reading/writing. Always ask somebody
in advance if they would like to read. Never ask somebody to read an item out
on the spur of the moment, unless you are totally sure that they are able to do
that.
Don’t just put up notices for events, or just report them in
the "order of service". To be sure everybody knows about them it is
necessary to announce events as well.
If you see a shaky signature on an attendance list, don’t
comment on it.
Many people with Dyslexia benefit from reading through a
coloured acetate sheet, if such a situation is observed it is best not to
comment.
Black on white is not always the easiest to read. Dark
colours on a lemon or other pastel background can be helpful but different
people have different colour needs. Where possible ask which colours help an
individual most and try to use them.
Incontinence
Does your building have enough toilets? Some people may need
to take longer than others. Are toilets readily accessible from the main rooms
inside the building - why was it toilets were always built outside in years
gone by? If you have a multi-floor or multi-site building, are accessible
toilets really readily accessible?
How often are church premises used by Local Authorities as
emergency rest centres? What do people most need when evacuated from their homes
- toilets!
Are all your toilets accessible, or are they also used as
store-rooms? Is there sufficient toilet paper available? The big rolls in boxes
are difficult to steal, household rolls are. But, some people find the big
rolls difficult to use. Please avoid placing new rolls in toilets without
ungluing the first sheet. It is hard enough for the fully able bodied person to
'open a new roll'. It becomes impossible for somebody whose fingers are not
fully functional or who only has the use of one hand.
Most people like to wash their hands and dry them before
moving on. Are the wash basin and towel supply (or hand dryer) sufficiently
close to the toilet for a person to be able to do that without first having to
re-seat themselves in a wheel-chair? If not then wheel-chairs could become very
unhygienic with all the unpleasantness that is caused as a result. When
considering accessible toilets, apart from sufficient space, this should be a
major consideration - not making the space look aesthetically pleasing.
Is the emergency alarm cord in the accessible toilet really
accessible for somebody who may have fallen from a wheelchair or for some other
reason is lying on the floor?
Are toilet facilities adequate for people with incontinence
devices to deal with them conveniently?
In need of a wheelchair
Is there a wheelchair available on the premises to avoid
people having to struggle to bring one with them? Some wheelchair users like to
move from their wheelchair to ordinary seating, are there appropriate seats
available and properly located to accommodate that?
Are there properly fitted out toilets (see previous
paragraphs) of sufficient size with doors which can be opened from the outside
in case of an accident are essential.
Are alarm cords really accessible? If a person should fall
whilst negotiating the change from wheel chair to toilet or back, could they
from floor level, or the position they are in, reach the emergency pull-cord?
Changes of floor level can be managed by slopes (always
ensuring the safety of others). Doorways need to be wide enough to get through
with a wheelchair. Many buildings now have automatic doors which open when
approached, or when a button nearby is pressed, in order to facilitate access
by people with impairments of various types, including those of wheelchair
users.
Places to sit in among the rest of the congregation or
meeting are desirable to avoid people feeling segregated and 'on their own'.
Access to the communion rail is important and positive efforts should be made
to ensure that no discrimination is evident when arranging furniture in the
communion area.
A conveniently placed table for hymn book, bible etc., or
for meeting notes is appreciated.
Suitably located car-parking with bays wide and long enough
for those who need it (sizes can be found in 'Widening the eye of the Needle'
(see final page).
Mental Impairment
One in four
of us will suffer from a mental health problem at some time in our lives –
often temporarily, but for varying periods of time. Many churches want to help
such people in their congregation or community but lack the resources and
skills.
Clearly
there are times when we need to acknowledge our limitations and seek help from
professionals. If you do not already know how to contact your local community
mental health team, look them up NOW - in the phone book under Social Services.
In extreme cases you may need to contact the local police (who will know what
to do in such an event). Why not write the numbers at the end of this booklet,
or even on this page HERE.
Mental
Health contact number …………………..
Local
police ……………………..
However,
there is a great deal that a caring fellowship can do to help - with support,
training and guidance around appropriateness and boundaries. Is there a Mind
and Spirit group that meets in your area? Why not send a representative along
to gain a greater understanding of the issues involved and how to help resolve
them?
Missing/malformed limbs
A shelf rest on the back of some seats will allow a person
to place their hymn book, Bible or meeting notes in a convenient position.
Do doors open easily, or need two hands and a firm stance to
get them to move?
Are two hands needed to use equipment or toilets? People
with missing limbs can usually do things for which others need two limbs but,
with a little thought and effort, life can be made more convenient for them.
Toilet rolls left ready to use, not brand new and un-started, are a good start.
Muscular Weakness
Many of the problems encountered will be similar to those
encountered by those with missing limbs.
Chairs with arms will help people both to stand up and to
sit down as well as rest. Sufficient space between rows of chairs is also
helpful. Standing up too often during a service is difficult for some.
Asking people to stand, could be accompanied with a remark
similar to, "or sit with enthusiasm", just to make it clear that
standing is not compulsory – or why not, "If you are able, will you
please, stand"?
Poor memory
(which might result from a variety of ailments or illnesses)
Is there a clearly printed calendar of events visible to
anybody who might like to see it? When they arrive this will help people
remember why they have come in the first place!
Does a notice board show, 'today's events'?
Are the names of participants attached to event notices so
that somebody who has previously agreed to take part can see what it is they
are supposed to be doing?
Are there sympathetic people available who know who
everybody is and where they live?
Is it intrusive or supportive to help somebody whose memory
has failed them (and it is not always old people)?
Photographs of class leaders, stewards, ministers and preachers
inform all, but will also help those with poor memory.
Reduced/excessive growth
These remarks may also apply to making the premises
user-friendly for children.
Most cases of unusual growth are 'leg length' problems,
generally body size and weight is similar to the population generally.
Toilets particularly need to be thought about, are they at
appropriate levels?
Are the seats in meeting rooms and the church useable by
people with short legs but big enough and strong enough for use by people with
adult body weight? Are there some seats with 'space' in front of them?
Are lectern facilities suitable for shorter/taller people?
Do you have clip-on radio microphones so that there is not complete reliance on
fixed microphones?
Footstools can be helpful if short people are sitting on
normal height seats, this avoids dangling legs, which can be painful on thighs
and could cause deep vein thrombosis.
Unable to attend
Whilst not necessarily disabled, there are those, often
older people, who, in the past, were regular worshippers at your church but are
seen rarely now.
The book, 'Older people and the Church', mentioned on the
useful publications page of this paper, gives some useful advice and
suggestions about caring for and ministering to older people.
One suggestion, easily achieved is to make tapes or CD's of
your services using the facilities of your sound system, and then deliver those
recordings to these friends. Clearly they need to agree and have the facilities
to play them but it has been found that people appreciate being remembered in
this way.
Copying takes a few minutes and can be arranged with your
local Talking Newspaper if you do not have the facilities at your own premises.
Tapes need to be posted or hand delivered and recovered for re-use, CD's are
not re-useable. You need somebody who will be prepared to 'do the work' week
after week and a supply of cassette tapes and/or CD's. CD's purchased in bulk
are remarkably inexpensive and are cheaper to post.
Employment
Considerable government support is available to assist
people who feel that they cannot work, because of a disability, overcome those
difficulties. The Department of Work and Pensions through the 'Access to Work'
programme, work with the individual, not the employer, to provide what-ever
facilities are necessary to disabled people overcome employment based issues.
They do however make it clear that the provision they make is for the
individual to get to work, not just to make life in general more convenient.
Support is given to 'employees' in many ways. The employment
position of some Ministers, particularly those who are non-stipendiary creates
some challenges, this should not however be allowed to put off an application
by an individual for assistance where it is felt it would be granted in any
other form of employment. Representatives of the programme are located in
various employment offices around the country. On receipt of an application
they will either attend themselves to assess the need or more likely will send
a qualified specialist in ergonomics, IT, social inclusion etc. to visit the
applicant to make a full assessment of the need. The central office for the
When considering people for employment in any role it MUST
be remembered it is not for the interview panel to decide if a person is
capable of carrying out the function applied for. The individual must be judged
against the person description and job requirements prepared beforehand, as
other applicants would be. If the individual, once they understand the
requirements of the post, believes that they can carry it out, with or without
the support mentioned above, then equal opportunities legislation and
disability discrimination legislation requires that they should be given equal
opportunity alongside others.
Sources of Funding
A range of funds are available to churches, which might be
prepared to support your projects. Local Councils do have small budgets to help
local community halls and village halls. A case is known where a church was
supported with the provision of an accessible toilet. This church did have to
prove that the building was 'extensively' used by the public for a variety of
purposes, as a village hall might be. Your Council is an unlikely but possible
source.
The
Fund-raising for a worthwhile cause has forever been a part
of church life. If you know what your
targets are and set your members a challenge, they will probably respond
appropriately.
Useful Publications and contacts
The
Methodist Resources catalogue.
'Widening
the eye of the Needle' ISBN 9780715140611 (recently
re-published in its third edition) from Church House Bookshop 020 7898 1306 www.chpublishing.co.uk
£16.99. (Every Church should have one)
Roofbreaker
Guide 'Through the Roof' www.throughtheroof.org
Versions of
this guide are available from Jo. Stephens at
An
Older
People and the Church £8.50 from Methodist Publishing House
(Useful book based on practical experience)
Catalogues
from organisations
RNID
0207 296 8000 www.rnid.org.uk.,
or
RNIB
0845 766 9999 www.rnib.org