Inclusion
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport
Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 09-17-00
Copyright Nancy Lambert Davenport 2000
"Ramp and stall not enough"
At most of our churches and synagogues, we pride ourselves on being open and welcoming to everyone. We
always say, we don't care how people are dressed or what they look like -- all are welcome.
Then we start listing exceptions. It's just human nature. As a result, one of the groups that often gets left out is
people with disabilities. Sometimes they just don't fit in as easily as others.
They can be inconvenient, hard to reach, difficult to communicate with. So we well-meaning people put in a ramp
and a large bathroom stall and think we have done all we need.
Well, a ramp and a stall is a good start, but it is just that. These items, now required by law, accommodate some of
the physical nee& of people with ambulatory disability; but if we really want to minister to people of various
abilities, we have to go another step or two.
Ironically, often the first thing people want to do is have a "special class' " That effort is often well intentioned but
out of sync with the real needs of the people.
When a church does that, it's still a them-and-us situation, rather than just-us-however-we-might-be. Instead, we can
incorporate people with disabilities into regular classes in all aspects of church life - no exceptions. Where you
see any group of people, you should see people with disabilities feeling very welcomed among them.
As teachers lecture on the deeper points of the book of Genesis, they may be concerned that they are not teaching in
a way that people with cognitive disabilities could understand. They will be right.
Teachers who only lecture are not using the best method of teaching for all the other members of their classes, too.
Good teachers use a multi-sensory approach, no matter who their students are. Our senior members especially
appreciate handouts or overhead projections because they often do not hear every word.
Most everyone appreciates interactive learning as well. For example, a teacher can ask class members to do a
short dramatic reading from a script that brings home a point. It's just good learning sense.
Another way to bring people with disabilities into the community is to have a transportation corps. This group can
offer to pick up people who do not drive and bring them to events. Offering a blanket invitation to "call the office if
you need a ride" is not adequate.
Often people with disabilities do not realize this pertains to them, or they are too shy to ask. Young adults with
disabilities, who still live with their parents, especially appreciate a ride from a peer.
To further include people with disabilities, invite them to be a part of a committee. Don't assume the work will be
too difficult or too complicated. Let them decide that. Then have a job for them when they come. You will be
pleased at the contribution they make. If nothing else, they can be encouragers. Once again, offer transportation.
All this won't always be easy. Occasionally, their presence in the group will stretch you. When talking with a
person with speech difficulties, be patient. Don't pretend you understand if you don't. Ask politely for him to
repeat or to say it another way. Keep eye contact. Avoid communicating through someone else. If you perceive a
need, ask him directly how you may help him. He's the expert.
Consciously control reactions of discomfort when someone behaves in an unexpected way or looks a bit different
than others around him. Instead, pray to see God's spirit within, and he will not disappoint you.
There are 54 million people with disabilities in our country. If we welcome them anywhere, we should welcome
them into the house of God.
The National Organization on Disability contributed some of the material for this article.
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Nancy Lambert Davenport
EMAIL: nancdave@swbell.net
URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com