The Rev. Lamar Hardwick was the pastor of a church in LaGrange, GA, when he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 36. Before his diagnosis in 2014, Hardwick had heard concerns from his congregation and staff about his distant nature and lack of communication skills. He found out that his autism made it difficult for him to understand nonverbal communication.
As a result, he established a program to help educate his congregation about autism and how some changes may improve the worship experience for disabled people. Today, more houses of worship are making their sanctuaries and services more accessible and inclusive for disabled people by adding ramps, having the choir perform on the main floor, or creating a sensory room for individuals who need a quiet space to help prevent overstimulation.
“It’s difficult to live in a world where people communicate with their body,” said Hardwick, who retired last year. Today, Hardwick has been nicknamed “the autism pastor.” He addresses faith groups nationwide about the need to make places of worship more inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities.
Hardwick’s church established programs to assist those with sensory processing challenges and other disabilities. The church provided sensory kits that included noise-canceling headphones to soothe those sensitive to loud noises, such as the organ, drums, and choir. They adjusted the lighting to make it easier for anyone with mobility or vision impairments. They upgraded signs in both the parking lot and inside the chapel.
According to the Collaborative on Faith and Disabilities website, 84% of disabled people value their faith. One-third of parents changed their place of worship because their child was not involved or accepted. Another study in the Journal of Disability & Religion examined clergy attitudes toward educating and including disabled children.
According to the findings, 68% of religious leaders have not received training on how to support children with disabilities in congregational settings, and 66% would like to get training on how to help parents of disabled children. According to the Collaborative on Faith and Disabilities website, 84% of people with disabilities value their faith. One-third of parents changed their place of worship because their child was not included.
Despite these numbers, just 10% of religious communities prioritize disability awareness. Dom Kelly, founder and president of the Atlanta-based New Disabled South, an advocacy group for disabled people, believes he understands why. “I think religious organizations have a long way to go when it comes to both inclusion and accessibility.” And, as the population of people with disabilities grows, Kelly said those groups “must either gain more members or push more people away.”
Kelly offers suggestions for making faith organizations more accessible. “I’ve been able to come up with access solutions that aren’t expensive and they may not think about. They may not have the same solutions that we do,” said Kelly.
“The accessibility part is really the bare minimum,” he added. “That should be a given. We want to be able to be included in all the ritual practices that go on in religious spaces.”
Advocates say that disabled people do not want to be labeled as “the other.” They want to be treated and included equally with the rest of the organization. Participation includes singing in the choir and serving on various congregational committees.
Advocates hope that more religious leaders will consider what accommodations are possible. How much does it cost to move the choir to the floor so that everyone may sing? What happens if a congregant does not wear hearing aids, is not deaf, and cannot understand sign language? Or are some people unable to receive communion due to gastrointestinal issues? Disabled people are the world’s largest minority. Disability can include hearing loss, vision loss, and various physical disabilities.
“If you live long enough, at some point in time, everyone will be disabled in some form or manner,” said Teresa L. Fry Brown, the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Brown recently led a three-day conference, “No Longer Invisible.” to spark conversations around disability among individuals and communities of faith. “It’s a human reality.”
Bishop Dedric Avery of Salt and Light Truth Center in Decatur served as chaplain for a high school football team and was on the sidelines when he was hit during a game. As a result of his accident, doctors told him that he would never be able to walk without assistance again. He no longer preaches from the pulpit, which requires him to walk up five steps. Instead, he gives the sermon from a location in front of the sanctuary.
Norma Stanley and her daughter, Sierra, now attend Avery’s church. Sierra, now 35, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and microcephaly (a smaller-than-average head circumference) at nine months old. She used to take Sierra to a DeKalb County church, but they didn’t always feel at ease or welcome. They eventually stopped attending church and watched services online until they discovered the Salt and Light Truth Center in Decatur. “I wanted people to be comfortable, but I also wanted Sierra to be comfortable with who she is,” said Stanley.
Other places of worship have other accessibility features. Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, has an active deaf ministry. It has also established a new ministry to serve as a support group for disabled members or those who require special assistance. They also recruit people with special education backgrounds to assist in developing their programs.
The Rev. John H. Vaughn, executive pastor of the historic church, stated that the church is preparing a glossary of terms, increasing the quantity of assisted listening devices, and developing a survey to understand the congregation’s needs better. Ebenezer is upgrading its educational building and is considering adding a sensory area. The church also uses golf carts to transport visitors from a nearby parking lot to the Sanctuary.
“We’re really taking this journey to be much more intentional about what it means to embrace the beloved community, and the beloved community means everyone,” he said.
Rabbi Joshua Heller is the head rabbi of Congregation B’nai Torah in Sandy Springs, GA. He says the congregation maintains an active outreach program for disabled people. It includes working with disabled children to plan a bar or bat mitzvah with traditions appropriate for their abilities.
“We’ve recognized the importance of letting people with disabilities be their own advocates. God created all of us as we are. There is an idea in Judaism that every soul is of infinite value; therefore, the community has an obligation to make sure every person has the ability to participate as fully as they can,” Heller said.
Religious communities should be welcoming to everyone. If a disabled person wants to be a part of a religious community, they should be able to do so. Inclusion should be widely practiced, including in religious communities
Sources:
“Caprino, Kathy. “The World’s Largest Minority Might Surprise You, And How We Can Better Serve Them.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 14 Apr. 2016, http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2016/04/14/the-worlds-largest-minority-might-surprise-you-and-how-we-can-better-serve-them/?sh=737aa3ca496f.
Hanzlik, Emily, and Joseph Gigante. “Microcephaly.” Children (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 4,6 47. 9 Jun. 2017, doi:10.3390/children4060047
Poole, Shelia. “Places of Worship Take Steps to Be More Inclusive of People with Disabilities.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cox Enterprises, 27 Mar. 2024, http://www.ajc.com/news/places-of-worship-take-steps-to-be-more-inclusive-of-people-with-disabilities/HBJMZ3PJC5D25OLCPLPIV4RQZQ/.