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Thursday 8 September 2022

Tackling Structural Ableism in Church

Title Tackling Structural ableism in church is on an off white back ground with a stick man figure in a wheelchair breaking chains but sitting infront some black steps

Accessibility is one thing that HAS made movement in the Rights for disabled people but not necessarily in the way you would think.

The Disability Discrimination Act came into affect in 1995, 15 years later the Equality Act of 2010 encompassed discrimination and harassment of minorities based on gender, sexuality, race, age, religion, marriage and disability as unacceptable within employment and service industry; in theory, no one can refuse custom of anyone on these grounds.

However, when it came to those with disabilities there was one major flaw: accessibility.

Hypothetically, a disabled person could go to a shop to purchase an item. The staff are NOT allowed to discriminate against serving however, without accessibility, disabled users can't get in and subsequently and inadvertently are refused service; this is then upon the user, not the service.

In 2010 ground-breaking building regulations came into affect which stated that "reasonable adjustments" had to be made to all buildings.

This should have been an amazing win for all disabled people but there was, again, a massive loophole. The reasonable adjustments could literally be anything. A building owner or manager could look at access, deem that it wasn't accessible and subsequently do nothing because they couldn't "find" ways to "reasonably adjust" their setting. The 2015 building regulations came to sort this error but again, didn't bring anything substantial to the pre-existing issue.

This new regulation amended the previous by stating that "all new residential buildings and all new public buildings MUST be accessible". Any building prior to the date of the regulations falls back to reasonable adjustment status.

This is where structural ableism currently is.

Systemic Ableism is where institutions, policies and societal values are provided, assessed and maintained by non-disabled people. So a non-disabled manager decides whether their business/building is accessible based on THEIR understanding. If there's blatant accessibility issues all they do is determine, without action, that the "cost of refurbishment to suit accessibility would be substantial" or "the building type is protected by heritage conditions and therefore not possible" and, again, nothing happens. (Both of these points are usually commented on breath taking inanity - discussed below)

What about church?


When tackling accessibility we must understand pre-existing societal limitations. Around 90%  of people with disabilities are resigned to not accessing buildings (especially old, historic ones)

Which raises the question: Are you or your church encouraging those with disabilities to come?

  • Is there a sign promoting a ramp
  • Disabled parking
  • Hearing and visual assistance? 
  • Is information sent out for events showing accessibility? 
  • Do you have an online presence (website, social media or "A Church near me") that highlights it?

Without clearly displaying access most won't attend. This seems defeatist but we MUST recognise that churches come in varied designs that outside perception may discredit accessibility.

So how accessible is your church?


Scenario 1: Entering the building

What does the entrance look like? What kind of door does it have? Is there a handle? Do you push or pull to open? Is it modern or old, wide or thin, automated or manual?

Did you climb a step? If so, how many? Do you have a fixed or portable ramp? Does the ramp have a lip or is it flush? Are there railings to stabilise anyone with walking difficulties?

Is the floor carpeted, wooden or tiled? Is it even or bumpy? Can it be slippery? Does the floor change from entrance to aisles?

Scenario 2. Being in the building.


Did someone shake your hand or physically greet you? Did the welcome impact your mobility or aids? Were you flat-footed, stable and asked permission? Are you able to visually and physically access everything around you?

Do you sit on solid chairs, collapsible chairs or pews? Is it solid so someone can push-stand? If it's a pew, does it have a step or design lip? Is there space to walk with mobility aides? If they're in a wheelchair can they see the front, screens or above others? Is there a reserved space in the row of chairs? Is there a cushion or padding?

Do you sit or stand for worship? Do you follow the screens or sheet given? Did they say "stand if you're able"? Can you hear appropriately?  Are the speakers too loud? Too quiet? Do you see any inclusion for those who are deaf or hearing impaired?

Do you take communion? Do you go up or does the priest bring communion to you? Is there an accessible route?

Finally, when the service is over do you go straightaway or seek fellowship? Do you access refreshments? Could you reach the drinks independently? Can you confidently and safely hold what's passed to you? Can you reach sugars, biscuits and snacks? Is the toilet accessible? Are there rails to transition? A help cord for emergencies? And, is that cord accessible or tied up?

This is the average thought process for most with accessibility needs.

This raises multiple statements:

"There's a lot of problems that need fixing. Too many to cater for physically and financially",  "The church is run by a diocese and they can't make significant changes to the building", "that takes a lot of work and a lot of time" or "How can we make it accessible when it's a listed/heritage building?"

These are valid questions with simple answers.

Financially:
It doesn't need to be independently financed. Charities (such as Beatrice Laing Trust) and other Trusts can help. Equally, the Church of England Equal Access PDF and Church Growth PDFs offer guidance on what and how to do this.

By the Diocese:
Every COE diocese, under the Disability Act 1995 and Equality Act 2010, within Accessibility HAVE to make acceptable changes for people with disabilities. Sadly, the ONLY hurdle is leadership's understanding of "acceptable". According to the diocese, all physical inside adjustments just need "statements of significance and needs".

Time:
Admittedly not everything is achieved overnight. These are physical changes and practices that need addressing. Experience it, make a list and work your way through it. The majority can be completed within a year.

Heritage buildings:
The simple answer is that adaptions don't need to be permanent or significant structural changes. According to the COE on this topic "Having a church that is accessible is a key element of your mission and it is a strong element of the case that you will need to make for the changes" they added "Not every change will need permission and some don't need full faculty application. Maintenance and repair can usually be done without permission. Keeping the building in good order will make it a more welcoming place for all users"

How can this be done?

For wheelchair users:

Ramps are as different as shoes are to feet. For example, a deeper step has a gradient that's longer in length. Allowing a smoother transition without a slanted drop. In an up step/down step situation you need a bridge threshold ramp. Custom-made, precisely calculated solid but non-structural ramps can be acquired via websites designed to measure the height and length of the step; ultimately catering for the building.

Unless it's a modern building most churches will have big, heavy doors with shallow width. Wheelchair users won't always have the strength to open these independently or the second door may need opening from inside. In this case, someone should be on door duty; this also applies for portable ramps. It's great if you have a ramp but if they can't even open the door to use it the ramp becomes impotent.

(Alternatively, adding an access bell at chair level. This would alert required help through sound or a flashing light)

Other mobility problems:

Ramps are also useful for those with walking problems. Every ramp therefore needs a rail so those who need it feel secure whilst walking. Rails are also useful for those with sight impairment to navigate and manoeuvre on uneven or changed surfaces; especially those that run the risk of slipping. The rails would be applied under the cause of "significant needs".

Visual impairments:


All access areas need to be well lit whilst showing all obstacles, including lips, as distinctly separate.

Persons with sight impairment need to see where they're going; even more so if you've adapted the entrance to suit other disabilities. Ramps are great but become obstacles if not marked clearly.

Something as simple as a motion sensor light can help. However, even here you need to consider more than just the strength of the light but also where the light is coming from. A central light above will cast a shadow of the person on the floor. Where a levelled side light would be more suited. These can be purchased and placed without structural work.

Using coloured markings will help anyone with visual needs. Consider lining the lip of each step with brightly coloured paint, tape or textured material. This shows there's a change in the flooring whilst marking out other accessible aides; if something isn't easily defined then how will someone with sight issues distinguish the difference?

Use large print, tactile surfaces and raised lettering and/or braille. Making signs as visual as possible, contrasting colours between the text and background. Alternatively, purchase commonly used signs!

In all of these scenarios you are allowing a disabled person the independence to freely move. This is key. They shouldn't need non-disabled people assisting unless asked.

The distinction should be clear: these changes allow independence, freedom and equality to move as any person would. If you're *just* making sure someone is available to help then you're serving, not enabling them.

We've so far focused on getting people inside the building. Allowing a free space to come and worship equally with everyone else.

Once inside we need to address scenario 2.

Seeking access within a church is more than just getting the person through the door. Equality within the setting should also be recognised.

Someone in a wheelchair would, for example, be left to the side, when seating, if they were in a church where there's aisles and pews. 

If I wanted to sit with my family I have 4 options:
1. Sit at the side of the pew which has a pillar blocking.
2. Sit to the left of the pew which blocks aisle access
3. Being at the back behind pews
4. Sit in the social area used for after the service

This problem becomes complicated when it comes to other disabilities. Those with mobility or visual aides need clear movement when taking into consideration the depth/size of the pew and limited movement and manoeuvrability.

Whilst also considering that most pews are designed differently; some are raised, some have lipped bottoms whilst others have fixed or loose kneelers for prayer.

How would someone with sight loss or mobility needs navigate through?

Collapsible chairs are great for space but are they strong and safe enough to be used in a push-stand scenario?

When it comes to worship the majority of the time a congregation will stand. Some who lead will be good and say "Stand if you're able", others not so much (I'll explore this further in another post) Once worship begins you need to physically consider the person. Can they see and hear the worship where they are?

Those who cannot stand should be in a position where they have access. Someone with mobility needs, within a chair or pew, loses the freedom when human obstacles stand to worship. It's difficult to adapt some settings but opportunities should be presented where they have access to worship and be a part of the congregation; in this case speak to the individual finding ways to adapt for them.

Equality sometimes appears as everyone having something suitable for them individually; however it's more about inclusion via intersectionality. Recognising that people need to be offered resources based upon their circumstances subsequently giving equality; without the misguided concept of equity over equality.

I'm aware how overwhelming and daunting all of the above can be. As well as the potential burden of getting it "right".  When directly faced, the pressure results in churches saying "we don't have anyone that needs this" or just apologises for not being able to provide the service that is required. These are just excuses.

There's no "perfect solution" that suits everyone. Instead, we should present positive action, a willingness to adapt when faced with inaccessibility that leads to openness and strength towards change and inclusion.

Just imagine the presence of an open and accepting building that becomes a beacon of inclusivity for minorities that most in society ignore. Isn't that what church is about?

If you're willing to lead the way, then please do these 3 things:

1. Reread this, visualise your church, question if you're as accessible as you should be and ask if you want to change it.
2. Speak to those, like myself, and ask for help. We're here to help.
3. Go to your Web browser and search "Making church more accessible".

It's time for change.


Please click on the links below to read the other posts in this series:

Ableism in Church

Tackling Interpersonal Ableism in Church 

1 comment:

  1. I touched on the church's ramp, it's smooth, a struggle with my stick. Going downhill, either in or out is nerve racking, it elevates speed, where I can't control the stop. I spoke to the team and said a change to the flooring material would help, simple but effective, a hand rail also.

    If I was on my own I would not get a cup of tea after the service as I cannot queue. I would have to ask someone, which no doubt they would willingly fulfill, but I'm done with asking for help. It's degrading, and emotionally exhausting.

    A note you made on the pews, I prefer to sit on them due to pain from previous operations, but cannot sit for more than the hour, when the service goes over that my pain exelerates. Also the small step in and out of the pew, its difficult for me. Trying to negotiate that and then people chatting in front of me. I cannot swivel, turn and walk, I have to ask them to move. And then on my way out getting stopped for a chat, feel like i have to wear a badge that says I cannot stand for long. But my main problem if I'm having a good day I can do more, mind you these days there are very few good days, but the point I am making, is that if I can walk 50 yards one day, next day I will be lucky to stand.

    Being disabled is a constant emotional exhaustion. We didn't choose this, and we so want to be healed and "whole". I told one of our church leaders I wish I could fly, they briefly laughed and moved on. But to fly, I could move around free, see things like others, without pain. The amount of times I have entered somewhere to leave 2 mins later as I cannot get to see things, move around, or wait to be served. On one if my two holidays abroad when I was fitterbut still with a stick, we were in Barcelona, the amount of attentive behaviour was a shock, they saw me, they took me to the front of queues ,made me feel very special. Even the buses had special designated seats for those with walking sticks, and wheelchair users. It was such a shock.

    But most people come to some sort of disability in their lifetime, it should become the norm to have accessibility everywhere xx

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