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Relating to People Who are Blind or Disabled
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The 2000 Census reports that 19% of the U.S. population have some type of disability (including hearing, vision, physical, mental, developmental).
About 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over are blind or have low vision that interferes with their ability to perform everyday tasks. This number is expected to reach 5.5 million by 2020, due to the "Aging of America."
The reason is not because they lack faith. Eighty-four percent of the people with disabilities said religion is important.
So why aren’t more disabled individuals in church? Reasons vary, of course, and can include special needs regarding transportation, architecture,
and difficulty in communication.
Most congregations aspire to effectively minister to all, including people with disabilities. A caring church can minister simply by seeing individuals through God’s eyes for the valuable people and blessings they are, and by recognizing the important contributions that disabled individuals can make to the church. Friendship, respect, and a listening ear are the most essential ingredients.
Of course, individuals with disabilities have widely varied needs, and some cannot "go" to church because of their limitations. However, many may welcome the church "coming to them" in various ways.
In a recent survey, only 47 percent of Americans with disabilities said they attend church once a month, compared with 65 percent of those without disabilities.
Books on tape from Tape Ministries are a free and effective ministry that your church can offer to your blind and reading-disabled neighbors.
