At this time of seasonal goodwill, churches throughout the country will be opening their doors to all. But how are churches ensuring that they provide accessible church services for disabled people?
Freelance writer and disabled church-goer Ellie May Forrester investigates how churches across the UK are including disabled people in their congregation during the festive season and beyond. She also expresses her own experience of attending church and the impact it has on her wellbeing.
Since the passing of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995 and the Equality Act in 2010, churches of all denominations have been establishing ways to become more inclusive and accepting. At the helm of this cause are disabled Christians, parents of disabled children, carers, support staff and charities endeavouring to ensure that churches are open to all.
Through the Roof: a charity transforming accessible church services and inclusive worship
The charity, Through the Roof (TTR), has been campaigning for disabled people’s rights to access churches since the mid-nineties. The name ‘Through the Roof’ was inspired by the Bible scripture, Luke 5:18-26, in which a paralysed man was lowered on a mat by a group of men and brought through the roof to be forgiven and healed. This story illustrates how the church needs to adapt to everyone’s needs and be willing to seek solutions so that all can be included.
There is still an assumption amongst Christians that people with disabilities were given their disability because of sin, that they must be cured or healed of their disability. But this view is highly outdated.
Katie Budd, Through the Roof Team Leader for Wales and Southwest England, said:
“I think that’s often true. It breaks my heart that so many people are turned off by church because a well-meaning person has come up to pray for healing, making assumptions based on what they’ve seen. And I’ve had that happen in my life. Lots of people offer to pray for me as a wheelchair user. I grew up in a religious family, where my parents were involved in church leadership, and once a guy came in, looked at my mum and said, “You’re the reason she’s like she is.” And yes, that was really hard!”
Through the Roof states:
- “We believe that a disabled person has a right to their dignity and identity as a disabled person and that no one should ever be pressured to accept prayer for physical healing that they have not requested.”
- “We would challenge the assumption that disabled people need healing in the sense of ‘being cured’. Whether or not a disabled person is physically healed, we believe God loves, values, and offers wholeness to each who comes to God with openness.”
Through the Roof’s vision is to reach a place where “All people enjoy life together, mutually giving and receiving as God intended”. Its mission is “Transforming lives through Jesus”, by offering life-changing opportunities to disabled people and equipping churches and the Christian community to enable them to involve disabled people fully.
The Roof Breaker Network: championing accessibility in churches
To achieve this, TTR has established the “Roof Breaker” networks throughout the country. These are often started by disabled individuals or those who work with or are parents of a disabled child, or sometimes by church leaders. Meetings are arranged, bringing together all Christian denominations, enabling local churches to work together and share ideas on accessibility. Here, disabled people and their collaborators can speak up as Roof Breaker advocates to bring about changes in their churches.
Katie explained: “The roof breaker concept, I hope, is a resource which allows us to create and give opportunities for people to become disability champions in their churches and communities. And for someone who has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user, I see it as an opportunity for disabled people. A chance to effect change within our church communities and to encourage our church communities, and to build them up. But also, where there are barriers, perhaps we can create teams of people with a heart for working together.”
From warm welcomes to practical support: how churches are becoming more inclusive
Through the Roof offers a range of resources and advice to ensure that Christmas services are accessible. But these ideas, of course, can also be used throughout the year and might include asking disabled people what they would like from a service to enable them to participate. For instance, providing clear information about disabled parking spaces and accessible toilets, and having someone within the church whom people can query about facilities.
Claire Webster from Wavebreakers charity stated on the Diocese of London website in 2023:
“Children and adults with additional needs and their families need a warm welcome and reassurance that they are welcome as they are. Offering a warm welcome at the door and having a space ready and reserved (perhaps some at the front and near the back for people with disabilities) again speaks volumes. It shows a place has been made ready and that they, like the shepherds, are the guests of honour!”
An example of this kind of forethought can be seen at Reyard Way Evangelical Church in Northampton. This year, it is holding a SEN (Special Educational Needs) family-friendly Christmas Carol service with British Sign Language interpretation. Roof Breaker, Karen Sandall, has organised the event, and a sensory creche will also be available.
It’s not just TTR members offering accessible experiences; many churches are also taking the initiative to advance greater inclusion. At Christchurch Baptist Church in Dorset, it has an Inclusion Champion, Mandy Raybone, who states on its website:
“Our aim is for inclusive and accessible services and activities. We will be happy to talk about what this could look like for individuals.”
As well as the physical needs of disabled people who may need adjustments, there is also their emotional needs. The churches of the Salvation Army have been providing the Enabled Scheme, which is open to parents, carers, and disabled people throughout the country.
Sandra, a member of the Northeast group, said on the Salvation Army website in July 2024:
“At your church, you might be the only disabled person, and sadly, not everything is accessible. The Salvation Army is very good at looking after and caring for people, but sometimes the conversation around disability focuses on how we look after people rather than how we empower them to reach their potential.”
Sandra added: “If people find it hard to communicate, it doesn’t mean that they haven’t got something to give to that fellowship. Everybody has value and can contribute.”
Finding acceptance and support within the church community
As someone who is disabled, I find church to be a place where I am truly understood, and the attitude is the opposite of the rest of society. It’s a much more accepting place, and I don’t feel discriminated against there, compared to in the secular world.
At church, I feel valued and part of the body of Christ, which means everyone has something to contribute. As it states, Psalm 139 states, everyone is uniquely and wonderfully made. I feel the church has helped me with my mental wellbeing, as I have made new friends, and from a physical perspective, they provide chairs that enable me to sit comfortably because of my cerebral palsy.
I always feel there is room for improvement, and in the new year, I hope to do more to make the churches I attend more accessible to all.
Mary and Joseph knock on the doors of many inns in Bethlehem, only to be told that there is no room for them. But eventually, one innkeeper finds it in his heart to make adjustments and find room for them. Churches, church leaders and congregations should take note and become innkeepers themselves. By making adjustments and opening up their churches, they too can be innkeepers and follow in the best tradition of the Christmas story.