Churches and accessibility: time to change

Someone I follow on X posted a picture of a tin opener. The caption read: 'If you're right handed you'll see a tin opener. If you're left handed you'll see an obstacle.'

A very true statement, especially if you’re left handed. The literal thinkers among us would say: 'just go out and buy a left handed one!' But do they even make left handed tin openers?! When I was a nurse we used to send trainee doctors to find the left handed blood pressure machine - insisting they existed. So, I wasn’t sure if this was one of those sort of jokes.

In case you're wondering, Amazon tells me they really do exist. By now, you’ve probably guessed I’m right handed.

But what if you couldn’t buy a left handed can opener?

What if not being able to use a 'normal' can opener meant you had to leave your home because you couldn't do the same things as the rest of your family?

We all know that wouldn't really happen, but it's a good way of looking at inclusion. For example, you might see steps as a way into a building, but as a wheelchair user - I see an obstacle.

Should churches be accommodating?

Over many years of advocating for children who have additional needs and disabilities, I've read lots of emails from parents who have been asked to leave their church, just because their child had additional needs. For some of those parents, it’s been their church family since before they were married.

The reasons for being asked to leave have been many and varied. Some downright ridiculous. To continue the analogy of the tin opener, they needed a left handed tin opener and their church couldn't understand why they couldn't just use a 'normal' one like everyone else.

Some thought not being able to use one was dangerous and a health and safety issue.

Some thought they should just move to another church where others who use a left handed tin opener were, along with people who knew how to deal with it.

Others couldn't see why they should buy a left handed tin opener for just one child.

Many more thought it would be unfair and upset the other children if they saw someone using a left handed tin opener.

Does all that sound ridiculous to you? What if you took out tin openers and replaced it with additional needs or disability? Every example I've given were real examples of why these families were turned away.

They weren't the only reasons either - I've heard many more, including 'because it’s impossible' when a father asked for the simplest of accommodations for their child. Maybe every church should have a metaphorical drawer full of metaphorical left handed tin openers - and get some training on how to use them.