Lynette Peckett became a Disability Champion and helps the disabled youth and children in her church - you can do the same
When we moved to our current church a few years ago, most people who talked with me for more than a few minutes soon discovered that I’m passionate about churches becoming more accessible for disabled people, including disabled young people and children. It wasn’t too long before our vicar approached me and asked if I would consider being the Disability Champion for our church. After praying about it, I gladly accepted. I want churches to not only welcome and include disabled adults, youth and children, but to also be places where they can feel that they truly belong. But what is a Disability Champion and why might your church need one?
What is a Disability Champion?
Put simply, a Disability Champion is someone who looks at what happens in the church and looks at any barriers that may prevent a disabled adult, youth or child from being fully involved. They work to reduce those barriers, and where possible, remove them. They will provide resources and strategies to help make church more accessible for everyone. Of course, this is all done with input from the disabled person. They are the experts when it comes to their disability and will know what will help (and more importantly what won’t!).
the good news is that the Disability Champion doesn’t have to be an expert on disability as the experts are the disabled people in your church
However, it’s not just church services that a Disability Champion can help with. A large part of my role has been ensuring that the leaders working with youth and children at my church are able to support every child or young person in their groups, including those with disabilities. A lot of this support has been for children who have hidden disabilities, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. As a Disability Champion I will work with the child or young person, their family, and the children & youth team to reach a solution that will make the group more accessible for the child or young person.
Why might your church need a Disability Champion?
Firstly, your church will have disabled youth and children in it. It will include both visible and hidden disabilities. Maybe, your own child has a disability and you long for your church to be more accessible and welcoming for them. Having a Disability Champion means that there is someone who oversees inclusion for the church, including the children and youth groups. They can challenge the church to be make the changes needed, so that everyone can feel that they are welcome, truly belong, and can grow in their faith.
Secondly, the Disability Champion can be a support for the family. They can provide a listening ear for the parents, especially when the parents may feel that no one else is willing to listen. It doesn’t mean that the Disability Champion will always have the answer, but a listening ear and an offer of prayer can be very welcome. I know that when we were waiting for my son’s autism diagnosis, having a friend who just listened to my concerns and offered to pray helped enormously. The Disability Champion can offer to work with the family and help find ways to support them. They can be the link between the family and the leaders. They can discover what helps the child in other situations (home, school, clubs, etc.) and see if any of it can be implemented in the church group. This may mean sourcing items such as accessible Bibles, ear defenders, fidget toys, etc. for the group or asking someone to be a 1:1 support person for the child. By making a few simple changes, they can help to make the child’s group a place where the child is welcomed and feels like they belong.
Read more:
Read more on additional needs in church and home here
Lastly, the Disability Champion can be a support for the volunteers working with children and young people. They can be the point of contact for any support the team feel they may need for a disabled child or young person in the group. This can include giving advice when needed, liaising with the parents on the team’s behalf, or providing items to help support the child in the group. Sometimes the team may feel unequipped to help support a disabled child or young person, so the Disability Champion can help to organise training for them. By receiving training, the team will gain the knowledge that they need to help support every child in their group and create a place of belonging.
Does the Disability Champion have to be an expert on disability?
No, the good news is that the Disability Champion doesn’t have to be an expert on disability as the experts are the disabled people in your church. However, the Disability Champion does need to be willing to listen to them and act on what they’re saying. Whilst I’m an expert on my own disabilities, I’m not one on other people’s disabilities, so asking what support is needed is essential.
By welcoming and including disabled adults, young people and children in to church we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He included everyone, but especially those in the community who were often seen by others as being on the edges of society. He called them right into the centre of God’s Kingdom. As Christians, we’re called to follow Jesus’ example. By not welcoming and including everyone, we risk missing out on their friendships, their gifts, and, perhaps most importantly, all that God has planned for the church.
I love being a Disability Champion, although at times it may take me outside of my comfort zone. As I’m something of an introvert, starting up conversations can be difficult for me, as can occasionally having to speak to the church from the front on a Sunday. However, I know God called me to this role and I do it with his help.
If you feel that maybe your church needs a Disability Champion, do speak to your leadership team. Also pray about who might take on the role – it might even be you!
For extra information:
See Through the Roof’s version of a Disability Champion, Roofbreakers
For child and youth specific training on additional needs see here
