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. 2023 Aug;62(4):2474-2495.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01508-6. Epub 2022 Jan 30.

Addressing Accessibility Within the Church: Perspectives of People with Disabilities

Erik W Carter  1 , Michael Tuttle  2 , Emilee Spann  2 , Charis Ling  2 , Tiffany B Jones  3
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Addressing Accessibility Within the Church: Perspectives of People with Disabilities

Erik W Carter et al. J Relig Health. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

People with disabilities often lack full access to corporate worship and participation in their faith communities. Yet many church leaders experience uncertainty about the steps they should take to remove barriers and widen the welcome for members of their community who are impacted by disability. This study examined the recommendations of people with disabilities regarding how churches should pursue greater accessibility. We interviewed 37 Christians who were members of a local church in Tennessee and who experienced various disabilities (i.e., visual impairments, intellectual disability, autism, physical disabilities, hearing impairments). Their guidance coalesced around nine primary actions: advocating, reflecting, asking, researching, equipping, embracing, proacting, including, and praying. We address key implications for churches striving to be inclusive of people with and without disabilities, as well as offer recommendations for future research.

Keywords: Accessibility; Christianity; Disability; Inclusion; Worship.

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References

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