Disability Policy

Having a disability should not be a bar to worship or to inclusion in the church community.

In the Diocese of Worcester we aim to be open and accessible to all.

We are committed to working towards an environment that will promote and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and freedoms by all people with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Disabled people have the right to be fully included in the life of the church. Reasonable adaptions are required under the Equalities Acts both in physical access and in the way services are conducted. To find out more about this please visit the Church of England website.

If anyone experiences any difficulty in access to services within a parish or a diocesan event they should contact the churchwardens or vicar, or a diocesan person responsible for the event.  If the difficulty cannot be resolved please contact Jo Hyrons, the Diocesan Disability Advisor.

Documents

Disability and Inclusion Policy 2020
A Guide to Access and Inclusion 2020 
Template for Disability Access Audit

Useful Links

The Church of England: The Church of England is committed to diversity as one of its major goals. This page provides resources you may find useful.

The Archbishop of Canterbury: Watch stories of people with disabilities in the Church of England – and their perspectives on how churches can make sure everyone can participate in church life. 

Livability: Livability is the disability charity that connects people with their communities.

More Than Welcome is a new resource to guide your church in how to deepen relationships with disabled people and build a church where everyone belongs. Based on the idea of a journey – the resource will help your church go through three important stages, from a place of welcome, to inclusion, to participation.

Through the Roof: This is a registered charity that exists to Transform Lives Through Jesus with Disabled People.  The charity’s name comes from the Bible’s account where some men break through the roof to help their disabled friend meet Jesus (Luke: 5)