The Diocese of Hallam is committed to being a welcoming church for all of the Children of God. Each person is wonderfully made in the image of the Creator God. Every person, perhaps at different times of their lives, also has frailties.
The Diocese of Hallam is committed to full implementation of The Equality Act 2010. A person is disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they have “a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect” on their ability to do normal daily activities.
Pope Francis suggests that the parable of the Good Samaritan is a helpful one (Lk 10:25-37). He says: “The decision to include or exclude those lying wounded along the roadside can serve as a criterion for judging every …project.”
Thus, every parish can ask, “What are the barriers which prevent disabled people from having full active involvement in our parish life?”
“What do we need to do to remove those barriers?”
Ensuring the full implementation of the Equality Act 2010 requires us to be “anticipatory” –thinking ahead, and about how the needs of our present congregation may develop in the future.
“…creating a completely accessible parish does not only mean eliminating physical barriers…It also assumes that we stop talking about ‘them’ and start talking about ‘us.'” (1)
“The bonds of belonging become even stronger when disabled people are not simply passive receivers, but take an active part in the life of society as agents of change.” (2)
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Disability Champion(s)
Each parish or group of parishes should have one or two representatives and/or a working group responsible for promoting working towards a parish community which is fully inclusive of disabled people. Where possible, the working group will include disabled people. (3)
- Audit
Each parish will carry out a regular audit of its facilities and activities with a view to enhancing access and inclusion for disabled people. (4)
- Reasonable Adjustments: Property management
Each parish is required by law to make all reasonable adjustments in order to make the liturgy and community life accessible to disabled people. This may include alterations to physical features; provision of suitable spaces for people who use wheelchairs; clear marking of steps, and uneven surfaces; providing additional help. Advice should be sought from the Diocesan Property Manager (5) Make sure all adaptation equipment is functioning, no light bulbs are flickering, welcoming signs are in place
- Inclusive Liturgy
Liturgies, prayer groups, parish services and catechetical programmes should be celebrated in such a way that disabled people are included as fully as possible. This includes provision of materials in accessible language and formats; use of signing when possible, ensuring aids like a loop system are available and functioning.
- Ministries
Different ministries should, where possible, be made more accessible to people with disabilities of all kinds, supporting their involvement in full. e.g., enabling a person who uses a wheelchair to be a reader by providing a microphone; enabling disabled people to bring up the offertory gifts; to minister Holy Communion; to serve at the altar; to be a welcomer.
- Inclusive parish life
Catechetical programmes, parish, social life, youth activities, and every other aspect of parish life, should be as fully inclusive as possible. Remember that there are many different disabilities and needs and not all disabilities are visible and get specialist advice where you need it.
- Reminders and prompts
Parish communications should routinely include reminders to plan for accessibility and inclusion of all, in local and national activities and where possible, and indicate any limitations on this.
- Diocesan and inter-parish support
Parishes may request that the diocese share and promote national and local resources to include accessible formats, and training for catechists of disabled children/adults. The Diocesan library at Hallam Pastoral Centre welcomes contributions to help to build a library of useful resources to share.
This policy, approved by Bishop Ralph Heskett for the Diocese of Hallam, Easter 2025, will be reviewed in 2028.
Signed: Bishop Ralph Heskett
Notes
(1). Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention December 2023 www.vatican.va
(2) Pope Francis’ Address to Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, 11.04.2024,Disability, and the human condition. Changing the social determinants of disabilities and building a new culture of inclusion. www.vatican.va
(3) ‘Through the roof’ is an organisation which can support Disability Champions; see www.throughtheroof.org
(4) Inclusion and Accessibility Audit Tool available on Hallam Diocesan website
(5) ‘Reasonable adjustments’ will depend on all circumstances, including: how effective the change will be; how practical; the church’s resources and size; resources already spent; cost and financial support available
(6) These documents use the Social Model of Disability and identity-first language. References: Social model of disability | Disability charity Scope UK, British Deaf Association, National Autistic Society, RNIB.
