Disability Matters
The diocesan Disability Task Group has been largely concerned with the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Group members have been in touch with many other dioceses to discover what they have done, and what literature and learning tools they have produced. Since 2004 churches and halls, along with all public buildings and organisations, have been required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make their buildings, activities and events accessible to everyone. In the past few months the Disability grouop has been trying to help parishes and deaneries work out what this entails. There is no single blueprint for action; each PCC and Deanery Synod faces different challenges to ensure that everyone can be included in their life and worship.
The Disability Task Group is led by Bill Rigby, who until recently was Chaplain among Deaf People, and Disability Adviser in the Diocese. At present, the group wants to recruit more members! If you feel you could contribute something to the life of this Task Group we would love to hear from you. We meet four or five times a year. You may yourself be disabled in some way, and know at first hand some of the problems confronting disabled people in today’s Church. You may have some specialist experience or interest in the vast field that gets labelled ‘disability issues’. To discuss membership, please contact the Revd Bill Rigby at bill.rigby1@btopenworld.com.