[Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church members toknow?

[Greg Aikens]

Thanks Melissa for your thoughts.

Also, I forgot to mention that if you know of any resources that already do what I am trying to do, please send them my way.  I don't want to reinvent the wheel if someone has already tackled this.  Most of what I find so far though is fairly paternalistic toward blind people.

-Greg
On Jul 13, 2013, at 6:40 PM, "melissa Green" <lissa1531 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all.
> I just joined this list.
> I think that churches should know that accessibility to bulletins and 
> hymnals are a barrier.
> So is transportation.
> I found a really good church and was able to get there.  But now I  have not 
> been able to do so.
> They did have the bulletin in braille though.
> Also that just because we are blind doesn't mean that we can't particepate 
> in things like choir, singles and young adult groups, or serve on 
> committees.
> Finally, I always hear from friends that they don't feel as if they are 
> accepted or if they fit in when they go to church.
> 
> Blessings,
> Melissa Green and PJ
> facebook Melissa R Green
> Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/melissagreen5674
> skype: lissa5674
> Goodreads Melissa Green
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Greg Aikens" <gpaikens at gmail.com>
> To: "for the discussion of faith and religion Faith-talk" 
> <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 3:33 PM
> Subject: [Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church members 
> toknow?
> 
> 
> Hi friends,
> I'm working on a project for my denomination's center for the blind and am 
> putting together some resources for pastors and church members who have 
> questions about interacting with blind people in their congregations.  My 
> goal is to debunk major myths and misconceptions about blindness from a 
> religious perspective.  I want to be thorough and thought I would ask on 
> this list for suggestions people have of topics to cover.
> 
> What are the biggest challenges and barriers that blind people face when 
> visiting a new church or trying to become a member of a new congregation? 
> What challenges and barriers do blind people encounter in churches even 
> after long time attendance?
> 
> What do you wish you could express to pastors and church members that might 
> change their attitudes?
> 
> What would you say to a pastor who is concerned about being able to reach 
> out to the blind people who visit his or her church?
> 
> I'm looking for both negative and positive experiences you have had as a 
> blind person trying to get involved in a local church.  What made your 
> experiences positive or negative?  Successful or unsuccessful?
> 
> Thank you for your thoughtful responses.
> 
> Blessings,
> Greg Aikens
> 
> 
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