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Jesus’s Great Commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and love your neighbour as yourself.’

In loving our neighbour as ourselves, we strive to ensure that the Diocese of Manchester is an inclusive and welcoming place for those who are deaf, disabled and neurodivergent.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive church environment for all, ensuring that all people can fully participate in the life and mission of the Church. We believe that everyone is made in the image of God and is called to share in the life of the Church.

Guidance for Churches

Here you can find some tips to help remove barriers to participation for people with disabilities. This includes:

Physical Accessibility: Ensuring churches are accessible by clearing pathways, rearranging chairs etc.

Digital Accessibility: Making digital content available and accessible to all, including large print materials, audio services, and online events.

Support Services: Offering assistance for people with disabilities to attend church services, events, and activities.

Ensure your church building is as accessible as possible

Easy Wins

One way a church can create a welcoming environment for people with disabilities is to ensure the building is as accessible as possible. We understand that for some churches, making a building physically accessible seems like an impossible task. However, there are actions that all churches can take that can make a huge difference. Actions as simple as rearranging chairs and making sure routes are clear of obstacles and clutter all improve the accessibility of your building.

Bigger Tasks

If you are looking to improve accessibility by making changes to the church building or furnishings within it, you will first need a faculty. To apply for a Faculty, use the Online Faculty System. You will need to register, which enables you to log in and follow the progress of your application. Examples of accessibility works that will need a faculty include the installation of handrails, accessibility ramps, building works, hearing loops, digital screens, and more.

The Church of England has produced this Equal Access to Church Buildings Guide, intended to help PCCs think about equal access, what this means for how it uses its buildings and relates to people, and how buildings might be adapted to make them more accessible. It also includes practical examples and guidance on gaining permission for building alteration proposals.

The Diocese of London created this useful 360 Accessibility Audit to assist in identifying physical barriers and suggest solutions to improve accessibility. This might include installing ramps, widening doors, or ensuring that seating is available for those with mobility challenges.

Make adaptations for services

Offer accessible adaptations including hearing loops, BSL interpreters, audio and visual aids. When hiring an interpreter, or installing adaptations for your church service, this cost should not be passed on to those requiring the assistance. Rather, the cost should be accounted for by the church, and viewed as part of the church’s ministry in offering welcome and grace.

Provide training for volunteers and staff

Provide training to volunteers and staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to welcome and minister to those who are deaf, disabled and neurodivergent. This will help to contribute towards making people feel valued and give disabled people the opportunity to participate fully in church life.

Create a culture where everyone can get involved

Churches might make assumptions about what people can or can’t do without asking the individuals concerned. Don’t assume people are unable to help due to their disability, and make sure to ask in each instance. Using our God-given gifts is so important, and it helps people feel that they belong as part of the church community. 

Talk to people and learn from them

Speak directly to people about their needs, whether that be families or others on this journey.

Welcoming Children with Disabilities

Around one in 20 children in the UK have a disability, and one in five need additional support. This means there are children with disabilities in our parishes and communities, and often within our own households. Church can feel like a daunting place for families who include children with disabilities or that need additional support, but there are lots of things you can do to make your church feel like a safe, welcoming environment.

• Be child-friendly: Ensure your space is inviting for all children. A dedicated children’s area with colourful elements and soft spaces can signal inclusivity.
• Highlight accessibility online: Many families will check your church’s website before attending. Clearly state that you welcome all children, and provide details of any special provisions available.
• Provide clear service information: Brief descriptions of services and their duration can help families prepare and reduce uncertainty.
• Be kind and understanding: Ensure your congregation’s attitude is one of acceptance, with ongoing training and support where needed.
• Welcome the whole family: Greet every member of the family, not just the child. Include siblings, carers, and parents, as everyone’s experience matters.
• Communicate changes in advance: Children who need additional support often struggle with unexpected changes. If something is going to change, whether it’s the service style, timing, or special events, inform families beforehand to allow for preparation.
• Ask for feedback: The best way to improve accessibility is to ask the families directly. Simple adjustments, such as using different coloured paper for services or providing a quiet space, can make a significant difference.
• Accessible facilities: Ensure disabled toilets are free of clutter and accessible. Use clear signage, and consider providing a space with a large changing mat or, if possible, installing a facility for older children who need assistance.

By making these adjustments, we can work towards our churches becoming welcoming spaces for all families.

Disability and Vocations

If you would like a conversation about fulfilling your Christian vocation, please speak to a member of the Vocations Team.

Ministry Stories

Christians from Greater Manchester and Rossendale who live with different disabilities share their personal experiences and the ways they are fulfilling their vocations. Each contributor has something to say about how people who have experience of living with a disability can flourish in the Church.

Joan Needham shares how provisions made by her church have allowed her to participate fully in services and undertake ministry training, despite her hearing loss.

Revd Chich Hewitt is a retired priest who started losing his sight when he was 63. Here, he discusses the accessibility equipment and technology that helped him continue to take services.

Revd Enock Kiyaga Mayanja shares how he was encouraged and inspired by scripture following his eldest son's autism diagnosis, which ultimately led him to pursue ministry.

Revd Hilary Shedlock has an invisible disability and details the adjustments made by her university and the church where she is OLM which help her fulfil her role while still prioritising her health.

Revd Helen Tyler shares her experience of receiving a dyslexia diagnosis in her twenties, the help and support she received when undertaking her curacy training, and how she learned to manage her dyslexia and even use it to her advantage.

Grants

As of September 2024, our parishes have been able to apply for Disability Project Parish Grants to improve their accessibility and inclusion for those who are deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent. This scheme is initially for parishes in northern dioceses, but this may be expanded in later years.

Parishes can apply for funding for small projects with a grant of up to £5000.

Ideas for projects might include implementing a new supportive group for disabled people, improving signage and imagery with inclusivity in mind, enabling a dementia-friendly church, or perhaps training for staff, volunteers and congregations.

You can find criteria, application information and ideas at the links below:

Criteria for funding

Project ideas

Guidance on completing an application form

Application form

Please submit any completed applications, questions or queries to robchilton@manchester.anglican.org.

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