[Nfbv-announce] Research on how churches help or hinder visually-impaired people in congregational worship

[lpovinelli]

From: Elizabeth Drury (She spoke at the NFB of Virginia Greater Springfield Chapter meeting in April).  If you are able to participate, please contact Elizabeth directly.
 
I am working on an article to submit to a magazine about how churches help or hinder visually-impaired people in congregational worship.  Although I am an assertive and engaged church volunteer, I have sometimes felt isolated when churches project all text onto overhead screens with no effort to provide assistance to people who cannot see (I have low vision).  Some churches know that increasing numbers of elderly members, for example, are unable to see, but they choose not to provide printed materials, to increase the font size, or to make any other accommodation.  Other churches approach needs and solutions with cheerful ease.  My guess is that most churches have not really thought about the problem.
 
I have lately come to believe that writing to a magazine(s) for a church-attending audience may be helpful.  I spoke last summer to a Christian ophthalmologist in Chicago, and he was astonished that he himself had not even considered the needs of people with low vision in his own church.  He encouraged me to pursue this topic in a more formal way.
 
Perhaps there are people within this network who would be interested in writing to me about their experiences.  Joy told me that her church used to email the texts to her in advance of Sunday services.  This is the type of helpful information I'd love to hear, along with sentiments, frustrations, opinions, solutions, etc.  If people would rather phone, that would be fine, too, but email helps me to stay organized amid the hustle and bustle of a house full of kids.  I have a hard time finding quiet moments to call, but I'm happy to do whatever makes it easiest for people to participate.
 
Please do communicate that this interest should not make anyone feel obligated to participate in any way.  People with stories and experiences to tell will likely feel eager to share, and others should not feel pressured.  Hopefully, the outcome will help pastors and church leaders to understand the problem and to feel motivated to make the slight changes necessary.
 
My contact information: email thedrurys at verizon.net or call me at (626) 676-0352. 
 
Thank you Elizabeth Drury