Faithbased Training on Attitudes, Assistive Technology and Accessibility

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Faith-based Training onAttitudes, Assistive
Technology and Accessibility

• Marilyn Hammond, Ph.D.
• Sachin Pavithran, M.S.

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Learning Objectives

• Participants will gain a better understanding of
• What the barriers are
• How to be more welcoming
• Ways to increase access for all
• Ideas for developing and implementing training
• Where to find relevant resources
• Anything else?

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Statements from Faith-based leaders

• Outside the door of every congregation, there are
  those who cannot enter, or once in, do not feel
  welcome. Through your outreach, you will be
  fulfilling Gods mandate to make the House of God
  fully inclusive for ALL people of God! (Reverend
  Harold H. Wilke, Founder the Healing Community).
• Allah does not judge according to your bodies and
  appearances, but He scans your hearts and looks
  into your deeds. (Prophet Muhammad, founder of
  Islam).
• Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men
  cannot live without a spiritual life. (Buddha).

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Statements from Faith-based leaders

• The house of worship represents one place where
  the barriers fall and we all stand equal before
  God (Rabbi Harold Kushner, NOD, 2001).
• Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we.
  (United Church of Christ).
• When we think of persons with disabilities in
  relation to ministries, we tend automatically to
  think of doing something for them. We do not
  reflect that they can do something for us and
  with usthey have the same duty as all members of
  the community to do the Lords work in the world,
  according to their God given talents and
  capacities. (Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic
  Bishops on Persons with Disabilities, no. 17,
  NOD, 2001).

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Statements from Faith-based leaders

• "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  is working to provide easier access to its
  buildings for people with disabilities . . . and
  seeking more creative ways of providing religious
  training for those with physical, mental and
  emotional impairments. But there is an even
  greater need to reduce the barriers imposed by a
  lack of understanding and acceptance of those who
  have disabilities.

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The problem

• The National Organization on Disability found
  that both 65 of people with and without
  disabilities state their religious faith is
  important in their lives, but only 47 of people
  with disabilities attend church at least once a
  month, most likely due to architectural,
  communication or attitudinal barriers.
• The Friendship Ministries reports that people
  with mental illness, autism, and environmental,
  visual, physical, hearing, and cognitive
  disabilities run into barriers at church.

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Accessibility

• Capital Area Disabilities Ministries found many
  houses of worship mistakenly assume that becoming
  more accessible will be a financial drain. Even
  if they are willing, churches often believe that
  once they raise the money and address
  architectural barriers, the job is finished
  (Salmon, 2007).
• Becoming an accessible church means much more
  than simply installing an entrance ramp, it
  involves design choices so anyone can access the
  platform, sound systems, and Bibles, hymnals,
  prayer books and bulletins available in
  alternative formats including large print,
  Braille and electronic. It also means a welcoming
  attitude and inclusion in all services and
  activities.

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Barriers exist if

• I avoid you because your speech is hard to
  understand and I feel inadequate.
• I am viewed with pity or a superhero, not a
  person with potential.
• I believe your lack of faith is why your
  disability is not healed.
• You suspect my MS may be a punishment for sin
  (NOD, 2001).
• You think that my childs behavior is caused by
  bad parenting.
• My child is disruptive and I get disapproving
  looks.
• No one invites my children to birthday parties or
  other activities.

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The project

• A statewide training project was developed to
• Positively change attitudes and relationships
• Increase knowledge of assistive technology and
  accessibility
• Improve interaction and communication
• Identify and resolve barriers and
• Increase knowledge of resources
• Which will lead to greater inclusion in houses of
  worship for children and adults with disabilities.

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Project Objectives - Participants will increase
their understanding of

• Creating a more welcoming and inclusive
  atmosphere,
• Providing physical access,
• Providing programmatic, auditory and visual
  access,
• Communicating appropriately and effectively,
• Identifying and reaching out to people with
  disabilities,
• Connecting with local, state and national
  resources.

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Statewide training targeted to all denominations

• Two hour interactive training at ten locations
  across the state
• Four agencies representing AT program and
  disability organizations
• People with disabilities provide the training
• Demonstration of vision and hearing technologies
• Website with technology, disability and faith
  links

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Some common scenarios

• Barrier
• Access to the podium
• Possible Solutions
• Portable microphones
• Portable or permanent ramps
• Universal design
• Raised without stairs
• Separate entrance to the stand

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Some common scenarios

• Barrier
• Access to speech/music for people who are Deaf or
  Hard of Hearing
• Possible Solutions
• Options for people who are Deaf
• Interpreters Without funding, can use students
  who are training to be certified, family members,
  volunteers
• Display captioning and lyrics on screen
• Some of the options for people who are hard of
  hearing
• FM Systems
• Infrared
• Induction Loop
• Pocket Talker

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Some common scenarios

• Barrier
• Access to materials for people who are blind or
  have low vision
• Possible Solutions
• Options for people who are blind
• Electronic format,
• Braille
• Audio
• Some of the options for people with low vision
• Large print
• Electronic
• Audio

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Friendship and inclusion is critical

• Include in all church and social activities
• Ask parents what they hope for
• Dont allow teasing or insults for any reason
• Help teachers not to be frightened. Ask parents
  for a set of rules and consequences. Use
  positive reinforcement and ignore negative
  behaviors, unless it is aggression or running
  away
• Be creative and try new ideas with parents
  permission
• Seek inspiration, novel ideas often come from
  pondering, prayer and reflection

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Lessons learned

• Find a neutral location so all denominations feel
  welcome
• Can be a challenge to get commitments from
  leaders to attend. This is usually the biggest
  obstacle as leaders often feel overwhelmed with
  other issues.
• Advertise through all churches, faith
  newsletters, parent groups, disability
  organizations. Personal contact with leaders can
  make a difference.
• Have people with disabilities and technology
  users as trainers
• Provide local and national resources

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Ways to be more inclusive and welcoming

• Use people first language in sermons, homilies,
  bulletins, and newsletters
• Use access symbols in announcements,
  advertisements and signage
• State, all are welcome and provide a phone number
  to provide any needed accommodations in all event
  announcements
• Personally invite children and adults with
  disabilities to participate in ministries, clubs,
  religious education programs and events. Arrange
  for accommodations. (Pathways Awareness
  Foundation)

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Ways to be more inclusive and welcoming cont.

• Make materials available in audiotape, large
  print, Braille and electronic formats
• Install amplification systems and provide
  listening devices. Create a list of qualified
  interpreters and provide when needed
• Keep individuals who are blind informed by
  announcing information from the bulletin at the
  end or beginning
• When new members join, ask in a sensitive and
  dignified way if any accommodations would enhance
  their participation in the faith community.
  (Pathways Awareness Foundation)

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Some selected resources

• National Catholic Partnership on Disability,
  www.ncpd.org                
• National Jewish Council for the Disabled,
  www.njcd.org          
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
  Saints, www.disabilities.lds.org/
• National Organization on Disability, Religion and
  Disability Program, www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseacti
  onpage.viewPagepageID1596
• National Library Service for the Blind
  www.loc.gov/nls/reference/circulars/bibles.html
  Bibles, hymnals, and more in electronic, Braille,
  large print and audio formats
• Accessible congregations, and making places of
  worship accessible www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_Livin
  g/worship.html
• Disabilitiesandfaith.org

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A welcoming church offers empowerment, not pity
advocacy not avoidance and support not stigma.

• Eliminate all barriers that keep members with
  disabilities from attending meetings and
  activities. A welcoming attitude with easy
  access, handrails, materials in alternative
  formats, audiovisual equipment and parking makes
  full participation possible.
• Seek and discuss ideas to promote understanding
  and better inclusion of children and adults with
  disabilities.
• Remember that all can contribute to the building
  of the kingdom of God and should receive the
  blessings of giving and receiving. All members
  need a friend, an assignment or calling and
  nourishing by the word of God (Church of Jesus
  Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

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Contact Information

• Marilyn Hammond, Ph.D.
• Email Marilyn.Hammond_at_usu.edu, 435-797-3811 or
  800-524-5152
• Sachin Pavithran, M.S.
• Email Sachin.Pavithran_at_usu.edu, 435-797-6572 or
  800-524-5152

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Thank You!
Thank you for attending this session! Watch for
us in Chicago this October! Please help us
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