All ages, all abilities

Disabled people are part of every age group!

Most churches do offer different ministries towards people in various life stages.  It is important to note that people with learning disabilities are not to be treated as children, as they have much more life experience and different emotional needs. 

Some disabled people may have multiple disabilities, and therefore the need to be open to exploring different, innovative ways of communication and participation arises.

It is important to recognise that God uses people of all age groups and abilities for the glory of His name, and each brings unique contributions to enrich the church.  Whilst we offer different ministries to these groups, they also minister to the corporate body.

All general considerations are relevant to different age groups, but keep some specifics in mind:

Children

• Is your children’s ministry available to disabled children?  This may mean either considering having a separate team of people to work with disabled children, or to offer one-to-one support.
• Does the material and structure of the class enable every child to fully participate?
• Do you train your children’s workers on the inclusion of disabled children?
• Don't assume that only older people have difficulty seeing the screen or hearing the speaker - children and young people may need support as well.
• Are there other church members who can offer communication support to deaf children or information support to blind children so that the parents can have a break?

Young People

• Recognising that disabled teenagers may face all the emotional and physical turmoil of this age, therefore the need to ensure that you value, prepare, do not embarrass and fully include everyone is all the greater. 
• Teenage years are often a time when a person’s disability becomes more keenly felt, both by the individual and as a group dynamic.  Don’t presume that difficult behaviour is linked to their disability – disability is not the cause of all problems, but recognise that insecurity comes with the age.
• Are your outings, weekends away and events fully inclusive? If unsure, ask the individual(s) concerned what requirements they may have.
• Do you train your youth workers on the inclusion of physically and learning disabled children?

Older People

• Older people are increasingly associating themselves within the disabled community, as many will experience disability through age. 
• Are you actively seeking out the experience and wisdom of older people, who are able to continue to contribute much to the life of the church?
• Is there level access and an induction-loop system for hearing-aid users, large print publications available etc. to enable full participation?
• Do you train your workers on the inclusion of disabled adults?
• Many older people become hard of hearing or partially sighted in later life - they may not know what sort of help suits them best - is there anyone in the church who could advise them? Are their difficulties dismissed or assumed to be inevitable because of their age?