Disability Ministries
Accessible Congregations InitiativeExciting news. The Disability Ministries Department is launching a new initiative called Accessible Congregations Initiative. This initiative will help guide your church in become more accessible, promote awareness in educating and training the congregation, and give guidance in providing the best support for full intentional inclusion of individuals and families with disabilities.
Here’s how the initiative will work. On the Documents page is a press release, commitment form, and journey of a congregation. Colaborate with your disability coordinator and both of you sign and return/fax/scan or email the commitment form. Your coordinator will then take the journey and get with his/her committee and go through the process. There are 7 goals and 3 categories to this journey. Once a quarter your coordinator will receive a quarterly report form that will help measure his/her progress. When 5 goals have been met, you will receive a certificate and when all the goals have been completed along with a community project and baptism, you will receive the Lillie Achievement Award. The Lillie Achievement Award is a memorial honor of Lillie Carter , Lillie Brown (mother and daughter - Charlotte), and Lillie Wright (Sumter) who were church coordinators and community advocates who died.
We believe this initiative will not only help promote awareness about disability but also increase witness and evangelism for people with disabilities. Our conference administrators have voted and approved this initiative and help me in promoting it. We ask that you help promote this also. We believe this initiative is directive, precise, and will give guidance in what needs to be done for the ministry. Of course, the disbilities department will provide any additional resources and directions. Welcome to Disability Ministries “Fifty years ago
the majority of people with significant disabilities spent their days secluded
at home, or housed in large institutions – virtually “out of sign, out of
mind.”1
In the last three to four decades
legislative reform for people with disabilities (IDEA-’75, Vocational Rehab
Act-’73, Americans with Disabilities Act-’90, and the Disability Discrimination
Act-’92) has eliminated many of the barriers to education, transportation,
employment, and communication experienced by people with disabilities.” However, in our churches, people with
disabilities are still absent. Less than
half of the 54 million Americans diagnosed with a disability do not attend any
religious service on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.”2 They are
excluded from inclusion and participation because of inaccessible buildings and
programs, experience little or no communication for those with hearing loss or
deaf, and worst of all face negative attitudes of rejection and
insensitivity.
As followers of Christ, it is our
responsibility to break down these barriers people with disabilities face and recognize
that all
persons are created in the image of God.
Building a ramp is not enough. We
must love as Christ loved us. We must
advocate and collaborate for a
- “Fifty years ago
the majority of people with significant disabilities spent their days secluded
at home, or housed in large institutions – virtually “out of sign, out of
mind.”1
In the last three to four decades
legislative reform for people with disabilities (IDEA-’75, Vocational Rehab
Act-’73, Americans with Disabilities Act-’90, and the Disability Discrimination
Act-’92) has eliminated many of the barriers to education, transportation,
employment, and communication experienced by people with disabilities.” However, in our churches, people with
disabilities are still absent. Less than
half of the 54 million Americans diagnosed with a disability do not attend any
religious service on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.”2 They are
excluded from inclusion and participation because of inaccessible buildings and
programs, experience little or no communication for those with hearing loss or
deaf, and worst of all face negative attitudes of rejection and
insensitivity.
As followers of Christ, it is our
responsibility to break down these barriers people with disabilities face and recognize
that all
persons are created in the image of God.
Building a ramp is not enough. We
must love as Christ loved us. We must
advocate and collaborate for and with people with disabilities and include them
not only in worship and study, but also in service and leadership.
Ellen White said – “I
saw that it is in the providence of God that widows and orphans, the blind, the
deaf…(and persons with disabilities) in a variety of ways, have been placed in
close Christian relationship to His church; it is to prove His people and
develop their true character. Angels of
God are watching to see how we treat these persons who need our compassion,
love, and disinterested benevolence.
This is God’s test of our character.
If we have the true religion of the Bible, we shall feel that debt of
love, kindness, and interest is due to Christ in behalf of His brethren; and we
can do no less than to show our gratitude for His immeasurable love to us while
we were sinners unworthy of His grace, by having a deep interest and unselfish
love for others.” (Testimonies, V3, page 511).
Since the late 70’s and early 80’s,
several denominations (including the Seventh-day Adventist Church) have developed
ministry programs for churches and clergy to ensure that people with
disabilities are fully included to worship in God’s House.
Let us take the lead in showing our
congregations and communities that we are an inclusive body of believers with open arms and facilities who
empower members to utilize their spiritual gifts.
1”The Accessible Church:
Toward Becoming the Whole Family of God,” Massachusetts & Rhode
Island Council of Churches
22000 NOD/Louis Harris Survey
About Disability Ministries- In 1989, the North American Division of SDA Commission for People
with Disabilities was formed by retired Elder Warren Banfield, and Dr.
Rosa T. Banks in the Office of Human Relations. The Commission developed
strategies for sensitizing members of the SDA church on disability
issues. Their hard work was rewarded at the 1995 General Conference
Session in Utrecht, The Netherlands, where a vote was accepted and
approved to install Disabilities Ministries in all facets of the church
life, including appointments (by nominations) of Disability Ministry
Coordinators within its 53,502 churches.
The position of Disabilities
Ministries Coordinator was placed in the 1996 SDA Church Manual under
the Personal Ministries Department, and states -- "...a local church
should give special attention to members and others with disabilities.
It should develop programs for witnessing to people who have
disabilities; make recommendations to the church board regarding
possible actions which could make the church facilities more accessible
for people with disabilities; assist the church in transportation
solutions for people with disabilities; and advise departmental and
church leadership regarding possible involvement of members who have
disabilities." (page 95)For the past ten years Union, Conference, and
the local church Disabilities Ministries Coordinators have been working
in the areas of access, accommodation, encouragement of spiritual gifts,
and employment (where feasible) to ensure that people with disabilities
are able to worship, study, serve, and participate in leadership and
evangelism.
- In 1989, the North American Division of SDA Commission for People
with Disabilities was formed by retired Elder Warren Banfield, and Dr.
Rosa T. Banks in the Office of Human Relations. The Commission developed
strategies for sensitizing members of the SDA church on disability
issues. Their hard work was rewarded at the 1995 General Conference
Session in Utrecht, The Netherlands, where a vote was accepted and
approved to install Disabilities Ministries in all facets of the church
life, including appointments (by nominations) of Disability Ministry
Coordinators within its 53,502 churches.
The position of Disabilities
Ministries Coordinator was placed in the 1996 SDA Church Manual under
the Personal Ministries Department, and states -- "...a local church
should give special attention to members and others with disabilities.
It should develop programs for witnessing to people who have
disabilities; make recommendations to the church board regarding
possible actions which could make the church facilities more accessible
for people with disabilities; assist the church in transportation
solutions for people with disabilities; and advise departmental and
church leadership regarding possible involvement of members who have
disabilities." (page 95)For the past ten years Union, Conference, and
the local church Disabilities Ministries Coordinators have been working
in the areas of access, accommodation, encouragement of spiritual gifts,
and employment (where feasible) to ensure that people with disabilities
are able to worship, study, serve, and participate in leadership and
evangelism. Emphasis on disability ministry include local church
Disability Awareness Sabbaths; presentations from Union and Conference
Disability ministry Directors at camp meeting, workers meetings, youth,
senior, and usher federations; and workshops conducted at conference
officers conventions, and departmental retreats. 
In January 2005, a change occurred in the North American Division
level. Disabilities Ministries was transitioned from the Office of Human
Relations to the NAD Ministries Department. For the first time ever,
Disabilities Ministries conducted workshops at the NAD Church Ministries
Convention in Orlando, FL in January, 2005.Ellen White wrote several
quotations relative to the church's responsibilities towards people with
disabilities: "God requires that the same consideration which should be
given to the widow and fatherless be given to the blind, and to those
suffering under the affliction of other physical infirmities.
Disinterested benevolence is very rare in this age of the world" [Test.,
Vol. 3, page 516]
The Disabilities Ministries CoordinatorGod’s church is a community of people who share the Gospel with everybody. Christ healed the boy with deaf and dumb spirits (Mark 9). His healing of the paralytic (Luke 5:18-26) is clear evidence of a new, intentional disabilities ministry. It suggests that in every congregation there should be a band of compassionate workers responsible for sensitizing and reminding the entire church of its mission to disabled people. Disabled people within the community and local church are often spiritually neglected. The signs on the front of our churches say “WELCOME,” but many of these same churches present insurmountable barriers to the disabled. The steep stairs, narrow doorways and hallways, and restrooms located on another floor or in distant locations are generally unreachable by the disabled and elderly. Inaccessible pews prevent the disabled from sitting with family members. Strict adherence to worship schedules prevent the participation of people with certain disabilities because of the extra time needed in moving from seat to duty and back. In too many places these barriers discourage the disabled from attending and joining—even when they are looking for a church home. Universal Disability SymbolsNot everybody is fully able. Some
people are
born with disabilities, others acquire them due to injury,
and anyone
who lives long enough will likely acquire a disability of
some sort.
These people want, need, and deserve access to our
communities.
Access
for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
This symbol may be used to indicate access for
people who
are blind or have low vision, including: a guided
tour, a
path to a nature trail or a scent garden in a park;
and a
tactile tour or a museum exhibition that may be
touched. (For
other than Print or Braille)
Telephone
Typewriter (TTY)
This device is also known as a
text
telephone (TT), or telecommunications device for the
deaf
(TDD). TTY indicates a device used with the
telephone for
communication with and between deaf, hard of
hearing, speech
impaired and/or hearing persons.
Volume Control
Telephone
This symbol indicates the
location of
telephones that have handsets with amplified sound
and/or
adjustable volume controls.
Assistive
Listening Systems
These systems transmit
amplified sound
via hearing aids, headsets or other devices. They
include
infrared, loop and FM systems. Portable systems may
be available
from the same audiovisual equipment suppliers that
service
conferences and meetings.
Accessible Print
(18 pt.
Not everybody is fully able. Some
people are
born with disabilities, others acquire them due to injury,
and anyone
who lives long enough will likely acquire a disability of
some sort.
These people want, need, and deserve access to our
communities.
Access
for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
This symbol may be used to indicate access for
people who
are blind or have low vision, including: a guided
tour, a
path to a nature trail or a scent garden in a park;
and a
tactile tour or a museum exhibition that may be
touched. (For
other than Print or Braille)
Telephone
Typewriter (TTY)
This device is also known as a
text
telephone (TT), or telecommunications device for the
deaf
(TDD). TTY indicates a device used with the
telephone for
communication with and between deaf, hard of
hearing, speech
impaired and/or hearing persons.
Volume Control
Telephone
This symbol indicates the
location of
telephones that have handsets with amplified sound
and/or
adjustable volume controls.
Assistive
Listening Systems
These systems transmit
amplified sound
via hearing aids, headsets or other devices. They
include
infrared, loop and FM systems. Portable systems may
be available
from the same audiovisual equipment suppliers that
service
conferences and meetings.
Accessible Print
(18 pt.
or Larger)
The symbol for large print is
"Large
Print" printed in 18 pt. or larger text. In addition
to indicating that large print versions of books,
pamphlets,
museum guides and theater programs are available,
you may
use the symbol on conference or membership forms to
indicate
that print materials may be provided in large print.
Sans
serif or modified serif print with good contrast is
important,
and special attention should be paid to letter and
word spacing.
Sign Language
Interpretation
The symbol indicates that Sign
Language
Interpretation is provided for a lecture, tour,
film, performance,
conference or other program.
The Information
Symbol
The most valuable commodity of
today's
society is information; to a person with a
disability it is
essential. For example, the symbol may be used on
signage
or on a floor plan to indicate the location of the
information
or security desk, where there is more specific
information
or materials concerning access accommodations and
services
such as "LARGE PRINT" materials, audio cassette
recordings of materials, or sign interpreted tours.
Closed Captioning
(CC)
This symbol indicates a choice
for whether
or not to display captions for a television program
or videotape.
TV sets that have a built-in or a separate decoder
are equipped
to display dialogue for programs that are captioned
when selected
by the viewer. The Television Decoder Circuitry Act
of 1990
requires TV sets (with screens 13" or larger) to
have
built-in decoders as of July, 1993.
Opened Captioning
(OC)
This symbol indicates that
captions,
which translate dialogue and other sounds in print,
are always
displayed on the videotape, movie or television
program. Open
Captioning is preferred by many including deaf and
hard-of-hearing
individuals, and people whose second language is
English.
In addition, it is helpful in teaching children how
to read
and in keeping sound levels to a minimum in museums
and restaurants.
Braille Symbol
This symbol indicates that
printed material
is available in Braille, including exhibition
labeling, publications
and signage.
Audio Description
A service for persons who are
blind
or have low vision Audio Description makes the
performing
arts, visual arts, television, video, and film more
accessible.
Description of visual elements is provided by a
trained Audio
Describer through the Secondary Audio Program (SAP)
of televisions
and monitors equipped with stereo sound.
Ramps
Ramps are essential for
wheelchair users
if elevators or lifts are not available to connect
different
levels. However, some people who use walking aids
have difficulty
with ramps and prefer stairs. Although ramp slopes
between
1:16 and 1:20 are preferred the rule of thumb for
constructing
a ramp is 12" of length for every inch of rise. The
ability
to manage an incline is related to both its slope
and its
length.
The Universal Handicap Logo The World Health Organization defines Disability
as follows: "Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments,
activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a
problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a
difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action;
while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an
individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a
complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a
person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives."
An individual may also qualify as disabled if he/she has had an
impairment in the past or is seen as disabled based on a personal or
group standard
or norm.
The World Health Organization defines Disability
as follows: "Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments,
activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a
problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a
difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action;
while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an
individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a
complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a
person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives."
An individual may also qualify as disabled if he/she has had an
impairment in the past or is seen as disabled based on a personal or
group standard
or norm.
Such impairments may include physical, sensory, and
cognitive or developmental disabilities. Mental disorders (also known as psychiatric or
psychosocial disability) and various types of chronic disease may also be considered
qualifying disabilities.
A disability may occur during a person's lifetime or may be present
from birth. A physical impairment is any disability which limits the
physical function of limbs or fine or gross motor ability. Handicap
Some people with disabilities do not like the term "handicap" because
of a belief that it originally meant someone who could not work and
went begging with their cap in hand. This, however, appears to not be
the true origin of the word. It originated in a lottery game known as
Hand In Cap in the 1600s which involved players placing money in a cap.
It moved later into horse racing where it meant bringing the strongest
competitors back to the field by giving them extra weight to carry. In
golf, it became the number of strokes a player could subtract from his
score to give him a chance against better players, so a bigger handicap
is actually an advantage in golf. Only in 1915 did it become a term to
describe disabled people, when it was used to describe crippled
children.
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