Removing Barriers
A well-known Bible story told by Jesus is the parable of the Great Banquet, where we are encouraged to:
‘… go out into the highways and byways and bring in the poor, (sic) the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full’. (Luke 14)
God’s house will never be complete without disabled people, but how can churches ensure they are able to welcome and fully include disabled people?
Removing Barriers is Through the Roof’s self-assessment resource for churches, organisations and groups to check against a comprehensive set of measures to see how inclusive their services, activities and programmes are for disabled people.
The Removing Barriers resource is in the form of a questionnaire organised around four types of barrier that can restrict the full involvement of disabled people – Attitudes, Organisation, Information and Physical Access – and helps guide churches through a step-by-step checklist. In using the resource churches are also directed to other appropriate information and resources which will help them to address any areas which need some input.
Removing barriers to disabled people is an on-going process, so don’t expect to change everything overnight. However, it is important to make a start or to continue on the journey.
The Removing Barriers resource is in the form of a questionnaire organised around five main sections.
- The Message You Give
- Having a Culture of Disability Inclusion
- Arrival and Welcome
- Enabling Everyone to Take Part
- Belonging, Discipleship and Growth
Removing Barriers is available to download for £5 from our online shop, or for free to any Roofbreaker.