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.
On the above date Disability Awareness Sunday will be celebrated in all churches in South Africa. The theme for this year is 'Belonging in the Body of Christ'. A young man Graham shared his experience in the church: I wish I could really belong in the church like others that play a helpful role there. But it feels to me the church focuses on my limitations and I don't get a chance to exercise my talents. Because I'm in a wheelchair, they think I can't help myself, let alone helping anyone else!
Disability Awareness Sunday is an annual opportunity to look at the question: Do we as a church enable persons with disability to really belong in our community of faith? Here are fresh ideas for the 2016 celebration. An insightful sermon is also available.
A starting point could be to gather a discussion group around the following questions:
What are the experiences of persons with disabilities in our church?
What are the reasons why few or no persons with disability attend our church?
In what ways can we enter into conversation with persons with disability, in order to listen to their experiences?
What would real inclusion and belonging mean for a person with disability? Let us hear what they have to say.
For more information, visit the website regularly and watch out for newsletters in your inbox.
See the two videos RampUp and Disability Inclusive Christian Communities on the left which can be useful in Disability Awareness Sunday
