The tips for including a person with a disability could apply to anyone, but sometimes we forget about them when there is a disability involved or we become scared. Here are my tips for including someone with a disability based on years of experience.
First, actually say hi and welcome them. This may seem obvious, but it is often just not done. Whether out of fear of the unknown or just because we’re too busy, we often don’t take the time to welcome visitors, especially those with disabilities. Strike up a conversation with them and/or there family. If it is a child, talk to the child and their parents. Even if the child doesn’t respond, this will show the parent that you actually care.
Ask what you can do to meet the family or person’s needs. Obviously given the size of the church and the resources at your disposal, as well as the disability being dealt with, solutions will be different, but just asking how you can make things easier will go a long way toward creating trust. For example, since I can’t read the hymnal my pastor sends me the hymn titles for the coming week so I can look them up on youtube or similar site. Small acts like this go a long way toward fostering inclusion.
As time goes on and you get to know the family or person better, see how you could meet the needs of the family outside the church. Could you babysit the children for a night so they could have a date night, for example? Sometimes a family may feel shame or stigma having a disabled child, so try your best to extend an extra helping hand as you are able.
I hope these tips can help your church to be more inclusive. Let me know your tips in the comments.
Blessed and Blind 