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From the narthex to the parlor and from the sanctuary to the pastor's office, the church can, and should, embody the concept of inclusion.

Many people, when they think about this topic, think about wheelchair ramps and access issues. But there is another disability that often gets overlooked - people with vision challenges.

According to the Department of Justice, approximately 2.5 million Americans are "legally blind" - meaning that even with corrective lenses, they have less than 20/200 visual acuity and/or their visual field is 20 degrees or less.

An even greater number of people have more subtle problems, and as they age, are unable to read bulletins, hymnals and other printed materials.

Is your church trying to address the difficulties these people face?

People with visual disabilities face significant challenges - during the week, and especially in the church.

Biblically this is wrong.  The apostle Paul states, 'For as in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function, so we, though we are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another ...'

One way to begin to address the issue of inclusion for all disabled people is to observe Disability Awareness Sunday, one Sunday this October.

Established since 2004 as a policy of the denomination, Disability Awareness Sunday is intended to call "the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community," according to The Book of Discipline, 266.4.
 
Churches that want to minister to sight-impaired parishioners should consider the following ideas:

• For many younger, sight disabled people, transmitting materials pre-scanned into a Word document via e-mail may be the best. My church has regularly transmitted the bulletin and other documents to me via e-mail, which I am capable of reading through what is called screen-reading software.
• For some, Braille may be of benefit; but with its bulk, it may be impractical. Increasing numbers of users of Braille possess access to what are known as refreshable Braille displays that convey alternative format material at the bottom of a computer screen.
• The sight-disabled rely on different types of mobility techniques and tools; for some, the white cane, and for others, found by many to be better in myriad respects, the gbwc_superusere dog. Communicate with the sight disabled like you would with anyone else.
• For resources and information related to sight disabilities, including gbwc_superusere dogs and service animal access, visit www.acb.org or www.magdu.org.

It should be recognized that disability is only part of, and not a defining and exclusionary aspect, of the human condition.

As the population ages or as more and more soldiers return from war with disabilities, it is critical that churches continue to ensure their buildings are accessible.
The United Methodist Church possesses positive and progressive statements about the inclusion of people with disabilities, which gives it a unique opportunity to demonstrate how anyone, young or old, able-bodied or disabled, can benefit from and contribute to the graces of fellowship.

Gary C. Norman is a lawyer and member of Good Shepherd UMC in Hampden.