News from Friends of the City Churches

The Christmas story tends to slip out of the picture frame in the hurly-burly of the season’s work parties, present buying and giving, the mountains of Christmas cards and Santa look-alikes. Many of those associated with the City will still attend Carol Services to hear again the traditional carols and readings. Familiar with the effects of workplace legislation, and regularly working with some who may be disabled, there may be discomfort that some colleagues appear more vulnerable in a building designed and built for worship in a previous age. Indeed, could a modern day Mary and Joseph have attended a service in a City church with their baby in a pushchair, negotiating steps and heavy swing doors and sat in stepped pews?

Normal life involves many faculties that we take for granted, forgetting that some are less fortunate. Those who are partially sighted or hearing, those with mobility problems, those shorter or taller than the average or who have learning difficulties. Do our churches cater adequately for them? Are there large print service books, nosings to warn of impending steps, handrails of the correct height? Has a hearing loop been fitted to the sound amplification system and has thought been given to those in wheelchairs?

The Disability Discrimination Act came into full force in October after a period of four years for compliance. Churches are not exempt but they do have particular problems adapting their ancient fabric to the needs of modern legalisation. And yet churches are for all, not just the able-bodied with normal sight and hearing and understanding. Much work has been done by the Diocese to help individual churches address these issues, with disability audits, advice and encouragement. So often the real problem is people themselves, their inability to understand the care needed to be given in a non-discriminatory way. It is everyone’s responsibility to assume this care and provide solutions. No amount of money spent on a hearing loop will ever help a deaf person if the loop is not switched on or does not work; large print books cannot used if they are not on display to those that need them; wheelchairs cannot negotiate already tight areas cluttered by inappropriately placed furniture.

The Friends of the City Churches has recently appointed a specific person to look at venues used for their events to ensure that they are as disabled-friendly as they can be. They are beginning to work with churches to help resolve problems noticed at these events.

Some churches themselves have nominated individuals whose brief is a regular watch on the church’s activity and how it impacts on the disabled. There are churches with entrances that avoid steps, with low level doorhandles, only to have a recessed area for a mat inside that stops a wheelchair user in their tracks! So easily sorted out and so cheap too. Other adaptations do need funds and we are keen to support any ideas that allow better use of the City churches to respond to the needs of the modern world.

Friends of the City Churches, St Magnus the Martyr, Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DN tel 020 7626 1555

e-mail      www.london-city-churches.org.uk