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

[Amy Ragain]

I first want to say that churches need to know that we can and should be allowed to work in any area of the ministry that the church provides. for example, I did an inturnship at a church where I wasnt allowed to do anything but sit and listen to the kids and make sure they werent talking...now this job was very hard because the director always played music and other audio really loud so I couldnt really hear anything over it...the assumption was that because I couldnt see my hearing must be better than everybody elses...
also, I wasnt given access to the kids church ministry resource/prop closit so when I did get to do a kids message I had to provide all my own props because the lady in charge said I wouldnt be able to navigate around in the closit and/or find anything...
I have friends who were told by churches that they couldnt go on missions trips because the church couldnt pay for an assistant to go with them on the trip...

I dont know if there is a resource exactly like what you are wanting to create but there are some good places that provide resources to the blind like the Assimbolies of God library for the blind...one of the things that they can provide is the teachers additions of the sunday school lessons for those who want to teach...
also, the lutheran braille workers...I think thats what its called...I dont know exactly what all they do but I got my bible from them and a calendar...

not sure if this answered your questions or not...but hope it helps in some way anyway...


On Jul 13, 2013, at 4:33 PM, Greg Aikens wrote:

> 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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