TRACI Reflection Series
Building Inclusive Churches- Engaging persons with disability as partners in ministry
Online conversation with Panelists: Dr. B.R. Alamelu & Bro. N.Annavaram
Moderator: Dr. Bonnie Miriam Jacob.
3rd December is celebrated around the world as International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The United Nations has promoted its observance since 1992. The theme for this year is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." This theme recognizes the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all.
The church is called to be a beacon of love, hope and inclusivity. However, persons with disabilities often face barriers to full participation in church life. It is essential for churches to recognize and address these barriers, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute and grow in their faith.
The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God and are equally valued and loved by him. Jesus’ ministry was marked by inclusivity, as he reached out to those on margins, including people with disabilities. Despite the biblical mandate for inclusion, persons with disabilities face various barriers in churches including:
1. Physical barriers: Inaccessible buildings, lack of ramps and inadequate seating.
2. Attitudinal barriers: Negative attitudes, stigma, lack of understanding and acceptance.
3. Communication barriers: Inadequate provision for people with hearing or visual impairments
4. Programmatic barriers: Lack of inclusive programs, activities and worship services, and participation in ministry.
We are pleased to have two resource persons in our panel who have faced those barriers in their own personal lives and faith journey but have overcome the challenges with perseverance, determination and their unwavering faith in the Lord. We will be having an open conversation with them to learn from their experiences and find ways to make our churches more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities.
Brief Profile of the Panellists:
Dr. BR Alamelu works as Assistant Professor in the Centre for English Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Besides her academic achievements, she delights in the Lord of his marvelous ways she has felt and experienced in her life. She has served on the DBF Board. She champions for the cause of accessibility in churches and serves as Core Group member of Engage Disability. She is currently pursuing Leadership Core course from Delhi School of Theology. She has presented papers in various theological conferences and has delivered invited talks on inclusion of women with disabilities in churches. She also has completed a two-months course titled, ‘Theology of Disability’.
Bro. N. Annavaram is currently serving as a faculty of Sociology at Central University of Hyderabad.
He serves as
• a member in the advisory group for Engage Disability
• a member of executive committee for Indian Disability Ecumenical Accompaniment (IDEA) under the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)
• Vice President, Visually Impaired Higher Education Teachers Association
• Expert member, Braille Council of India, Government of India.
He has the honour of being used in gospel ministry across denominations.