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Hi Becky, It's hard to talk about details without examples of discrimination you have experienced in church. Sometimes it is very subjective and doesn't mean people have a bad will. I belong to catholic church in Poland. On one hand, there are different activities for disabled people organized by the church, e.g. summer camp for disabled children and youth, in some parishes a mass in sign language, religion lessons adapted for people with intellectual disability. On the other hand, there is still a lot to do. I know some deafblind people who would like go on Sunday mass but there is nobody to accompany them. Is it discrimination? In my opinion rather lack of knowledge of a priest, experience or motivation of a person or her family to ask for help. At least in some cases it would be possible to organize volunteers for guiding them and translation during the mass. In my parish a mass in sign language is once a month. Some time ago a sign language interpreter asked me for help. She told me the priest was afraid of a deafblind person; he didn't know how to communicate with her and has a technical problem to give her a holy communion. I came there, we talked and managed to find a solution. Few years ago, when we didn't have law permitting blind people to go in public places with their guide dogs, they wern't alowed in some churches. Usually it dependent of a good will and awareness of a parish-priest. I know the cases they were against but after discussion with a blind person changed opinion and gave permission. In Western Europe people receive the communion mainly on hand. In Poland it is still more popular to receive it to mounth. I am blind and I consider receiving it on hand easier and more comfortable. Few years ago I tried to talk about it with my parish-priest. Unfortunately he didn't want to listen to my arguments but told me in our diocese it hasn't been allowed yet. I checked it and discovered he didn't say the truth. I was disappointed and felt discriminated. Obviously he can be against, but we should discuss and telling me the bishop didn't allowed it was unfair. Some time later I discuss with him again. He wasn't happy but accepted my request. Few months ago a priest from another parish called me and said during a meeting of priests my parish-priest explained others why they should accept to distribute communion on hand. I am really happy he finally understod that there are different needs. I am convinced we can have the influence on the church community, because we are a part of it and many things depend on our involvement. In my parish sometimes I read in Braille during the Sunday mass. Few years ago I was on a European Voluntary Service in Belgium. On Maunday Thursday the mass is a little bit different than usually. As there was nobody next to me, sometimes I didn't know what should I do. In Belgium people don't kneel. I didn't know that this special day there was a moment they did it. Nobody told me I should kneel down and I was the only person who stood. When I realized it afterwards, I was sad and disapointed. I was surprised because people there knew me. The next day I explained my problem to a person I met at the door, she sat next to me and if necessary told me what should I do. Then I talked to the priest and suggested him I would make a reading the following Sunday. He accepted and then some people who met me on the street told me we were from the same church and asked if I needed help. Of course there are still different problems. Some priests have difficulties to be flexible and they don't know how to deal with disabled people. That's why I suggested a priest who in my diocese is responsible for trainings to organize a training for priests about communication with disabled people. I will be happy to do it. He answered it was a good idea but not for now. I will talk to him again. On the other hand, a priest who works with university students but also have religion lessons with autistic children invited me and my Jewish friend who has Asperger syndrome to meet his postgraduate students - priests and laics. It was a very interesting and fruictful discussion. We also talked about the Autism Sunday. In Poland we don't have it yet neither in catholic nor protestant church, but two years ago a bishop sent to parishes a letter for the World Autism Day. So, step by step, things are going on. If we want go forward, we must be active, open-minded, collaborate and suggest solutions. Sometimes it is difficult, frustrating and goes slowly, but I believe we are able to open our communities on very different people. Best, Hania ----- Original Message ----- From: Becky Dutneall To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 5:33 PM Subject: Discrimination in church! Hi. Long shot I know, but does anyone if there is a way to deal with disability discrimination within church? I'm beginning to lose the desire to live! If there is anyone in England here who is wiling to take me under their wing I really could use your support! Becky. ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page. ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.