RampUp celebrates the role of people with disabilities in the church.
RampUp:
Dispels myths about disability
Provides a Biblical view of disability
Promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in work, witness and leadership
Provides tools to improve the accessibility of churches
and much more
95% of people with disabilities are not included in churches.
Therefore churches are invited to RampUp their facilities and systems:
RampUp attitudes - be welcoming
RampUp inclusion - be open
RampUp buildings - be accessible
God's astonishing generosity is portrayed in the parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14. "Yet there is room!" exclaims the servant after bringing numerous people to the banquet. These people assumed they were unwelcome due to their rejection, because of their disabilities, by the rest of the village. Imagine their joy at finding themselves seated at the banqueting table. And because there is room, the invitation to the feast is still open.
RampUp helps the Church and people with disabilities to grow in relationship, so that everyone can 'be at home in church', a place of preparation for the Great Banquet. We hope that you will enjoy exploring RampUp as much as we have enjoyed designing it.
Let us know what you think and give us your suggestions to improve RampUp.
Recently trained Disability Inclusion Facilitators - People who play an important role in the Church
LATEST NEWS
CHURCH, DISABILITY and COVID-19
In whatever way you may do church during the Covid-19 pandemic, here are helpful ideas to enhance the connection with persons with disabilities. The creative guiding principle is:
KEEP PHYSICAL DISTANCE but STAY SOCIALLY CONNECTED
Suggestions to reach out to persons with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic:
1. Make and keep contact with as many persons with disabilities as possible in your church and community.
2. Ask about practical needs and offer help as it is possible for you to give support.
3. Staying in contact by phone can make a big difference for people who are housebound.
4. Spiritual and emotional support by prayer can strengthen one’s faith.
5. The biggest gift we can give to one another is to spend time and listen to each other’s insights.
Suggestions to bear in mind regarding church services and persons with disability who may attend
1. Be aware that there are strict regulations for worship services published by the SA Council for Churches available here. Your church leadership may have published guidelines of how this is applied in your denomination.
2. Basically, the same precautions apply as for anybody else.
3. However, please remember that many persons with disabilities are in a vulnerable group and thus should take great care when they do attend church services and mingle with groups of people – consider if attendance is at all a wise decision.
4. People with co-morbidities (other health conditions) may be at high risk to contract the COVID-19 virus while exposed to groups of people.
5. Sanitise hands at the entrance of the church. Also, sanitising the hand grips of crutches and arm rests of wheelchairs is recommended.
6. Wear masks for the whole duration of the church service.
7. Always keep a physical distance of two metres between people at all times.
8. Blind people may be accompanied by their guide. Caution should be taken to sanitise regularly in case someone touches objects in the church environment.
9. For people with hearing loss and who do lip-reading: ask them in what way communication can be made accessible for them amidst people wearing masks.
