In Australia

"Access: It Begins in the Heart"

What is the Inclusive Congregations Program?

The program seeks to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities among Christian congregations. This is achieved by increasing awareness, and through the provision of educational resources. The program has been initiated in Australia by Christian Disability Partnership with assistance from Crossroads Christian Fellowship NSW Inc. #

What is An Inclusive Congregation?

An Inclusive Congregation under this program acknowledges the need to strive to remove the barriers to full participation of people with disabilities and endorses these four principles.

• In our congregation, people, with and without disabilities, are valued as individuals, having been created in the image of God.
• All people, with and without disabilities, share a need for God's saving grace through Jesus' death and resurrection.
• Our congregation is endeavouring to remove barriers of architecture, communications and attitude that exclude people with disabilities from full and active participation.
• People, with and without disabilities, are encouraged in our congregation to practice their faith and use their gifts and talents in worship, service, study and leadership, thus growing our congregation and individuals as part of the body of Christ.

Do We Have to Be A Perfect Congregation to Join?

The intention of the program is not to endorse perfect congregations, as few, if any, would exist. Instead it seeks congregations that are alerted to inclusive issues and that are committed to improvement. Any congregation willing to endorse the Principles for Inclusive Congregations is invited to join the program.

The following churches have joined the program.

The following churches have joined the program.
Glenbrook Anglican Church, Phone 02 4739 1316

St Anne's Anglican Church, 44 Church St., Ryde, Phone 02 9809 1322

St Andrew's Anglican Church, 81 Byrne Avenue, Abbotford, Phone 02 9713 8059

Wesley Uniting Church , Showground Road, Castle Hill, Phone 02 9894 8999

What Does it Cost to Join?

Joining up is free, but an initial suggested donation of $100 to cover administrative costs would be appreciated. Obviously, a congregation that is committed to the principles will incur costs as it discovers opportunities to improve awareness and inclusiveness. These costs will need to be met by the congregation or through the denomination. (Cheques for donations should be made out to Crossroads NSW Inc.)

Each congregation that joins will receive a display certificate confirming endorsement of the program as well as an initial information pack.

What Assistance Will Be Provided to Congregations?

As the program develops, a wide variety of assistance will be available to assist congregations in considering opportunities for increasing inclusiveness. This assistance will include, in addition to the certificate and initial information pack, some of the following:

- Listing on a web site of congregations who have endorsed the program

- Regular newsletters

- Resource materials

- Congregational strategy guidelines

- Creating Christian Community (CCC) seminars

- Advisors

What May We Need to Consider to Be More Inclusive?

There can be no general answer about what may be relevant to a particular congregation. Barriers to becoming an inclusive congregation can include many aspects such as architecture, communication and attitude. The Creating Christian Community (CCC) seminars have been designed to provide a good starting point to inclusive understanding.

How Do We Join the Program?

A congregation wishing to join the program should initially obtain an application form and information about the program. The principles then need to be approved in the appropriate forum within the congregation and a signed application form is forwarded to the Inclusive Congregations Program. On receipt of the application the certificate will be forwarded.

What Is... Christian Disability Partnership?

The group is a network of representatives from Christian Churches and disability groups who are committed to facilitate Christian ministry for, by and with people with disabilities. Through working together, each denomination and Church can be encouraged to greater commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities. It also recognises that greater efficiencies can be achieved to develop policies, materials and programs with the limited resources available.

Christian Disability Partnership is a legacy of the Paralympic Committee of Quest Australia - More than Gold. During the Sydney Paralympics in 2000 Christians from all over Australia united together to reach out to athletes, athletes' families and the many visitors to Australia for the event. As part of these activities Joni Eareckson-Tada spoke at many events and aided as a chaplain at the Paralympics.

What Is... Crossroads Christian Fellowship Nsw Inc?

Crossroads is a Christian Organisation which is committed to sharing the Christian message and improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. It was founded in 1961 in Newcastle and is now an Australia wide organisation. Crossroads offers a varied program of activities such as hall nights, outings, holidays along with a variety of resources and seminars.

What Are... Creating Christian Community Seminars?

These seminars (CCC) have been prepared to inspire, teach and assist congregations to be more inclusive of people with disabilities. The seminars combine a mix of presentation and teaching techniques and are typically presented at a local church venue. Some of the topics covered include: removing the barriers preventing people from participating in the life of the church; theology and disability; citizenship ­ people with disability as a member of the church. A key feature of the seminars is the personal testimony and examples provided by the presenters. A must for every congregation that is seeking to become more inclusive.

# Note: The Inclusive Congregation Program in Australia has been developed with permission from concepts of the Accessible Congregations Campaign operated by The National Organisation on Disability, USA.