Ministry & ADA

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a US civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and was set in place to ensure they have equal opportunity in the areas of employment, education, public accommodations, transportation and state/ local government services. It requires reasonable accommodations in the workplace and public spaces.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Guess what population of people is often never thought about in ministry? People with disabilities. The average able bodied person rarely if ever, considers people with disabilities. If you’re an able bodied person, have you ever gone in to a corner store and thought “wow, someone in a wheelchair would never be able to navigate these aisles”? I think about these things because I have to as a caregiver to a family member who walks with a cane but calling ahead to ensure the facility is accessible is not something the average person who is not disabled or a caregiver of someone who is disabled thinks about.

One of the worst experiences I’ve had with my family members mobility was actually with a church we were attending. The ministry was moving to a building where their space would now be on a second floor with no elevator. The solution that was offered to me was “some of the men can just carry him up the stairs”. I do not believe the Pastor was intentionally trying to be offensive, but more so the comment was made out of ignorance. It is extremely insulting to a person with a disability to offer to carry them anywhere unless there is a life threatening emergency such as a fire with no other options.

Jesus came for all of us, including people with disabilities. The community and fellowship of the social system offered within the church body is important for everyone but is especially important for people who are often isolated due to their disability, age, etc. Once upon a time I worked as a Resident Service Coordinator in a HUD property specifically for older adults and people with disabilities. We had residents that due to their disability or medical condition were unable to take public transportation and some never left their apartments. One of the things I was able to do in that role was invite a local church into the building to hold a bible study once a week so that any residents who were either unable to physically leave the building or have access to transportation were at least able to connect with a congregation and hear the word.

If you are in ministry and have never thought about this before, it’s never too late to start. I encourage you to ensure your buildings and events are accessible. If your ministry has an outreach team, don’t forget the outreach opportunities that exist in affordable housing, assisted living, elderly housing, hospitals, group homes, etc. Those that are thought about the least, often times need God’s love the most.