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DISABILITY
FOR VISUAL LEARNERS , A PICTURE OR IMAGE TO LOOK AT MAY DO MORE THAN A VOICE OR WORDS . A PIECE OF ART , A CARTOON , A SIMPLE PHOTOGRAPH OF AN INSPIRING SCENE – ALL OF THESE CAN ENHANCE OUR MESSAGE WHEN WE PREACH .
A picture ‘ speaks ’ 1000 words
For visual learners , a picture or image to look at may do more than a voice or words . A piece of art , a cartoon , a simple photograph of an inspiring scene – all of these can enhance our message when we preach . Give space for people to look at the image – don ’ t just put it up and then continue talking over it . Some people with processing challenges need space and time to engage , and to switch between listening to you speak and looking at the image .
Alongside this , it is important to also describe what is being seen , so that those with any level of sight loss can participate in the learning . Keep the image simple so that the description is also simple .
Pictures may also work for deaf people , for people with learning disabilities , and for those whose English is limited . Consider how many churches have stained glass windows – a way of teaching moments from the Bible in picture language !
As an aside – sometimes song lyrics are projected on screen with moving images behind them . Please consider not doing this . For anyone with any level of sight loss , or processing challenges , having to engage with conflicting layers of visual information is disorientating ( at best ) and makes them inaccessible ( at worst ). Lyrics and liturgy need their own uncluttered space ( as does the inspirational image ).
Be careful with language
‘ Let us not be blind to injustice , nor deaf to the voices of the poor and weak …’
This is a phrase I have heard in sermons ( and intercessions ) – and it ’ s deeply unhelpful to disabled people . We might know what you might mean by it , but it still jars to hear our disabilities used as an analogy for sin and failure . Reframing some of our inherited language is more welcoming to disabled people – so ‘ let us not turn our backs on injustice , let us pay attention to those who need us …’
Also beware the danger of assuming that disabled people are ‘ the weak and the poor ’ ( and therefore ablebodied people are the strong ). Whilst it is true that half of the 14 million people living in poverty are disabled , that makes them economically poor , not necessarily spiritually poor . It takes great strength to live with disability – socially , economically , politically and spiritually .
Many neurodivergent people may be very literal – so if you are going to use metaphor / analogy in your sermon , then make this clear before doing so . ‘ Here ’ s an analogy for you …’ I remember summarising one of Jesus ’ parables , and was immediately joined by 8-year-old H at the front , who stood in front of me and wanted to know why I had told the parable ‘ wrong ’. H is autistic and notices missing details . I moved my clip-on mic down my stole ( but not too far ) and explained ‘ quietly ’ that not everyone had the patience to listen to everything like he did , so I needed to just give the highlights . H was happy with that , and I promised that in future I would make it clearer if I was going to edit facts or use metaphor . H sat down to a congregation of smiling faces .
Another aside : ‘ We will now stand and sing the next song on the screen …’ For some people this may be confusing – are we being asked to stand on the screen in order to sing the next song ? Clarity in our directions is helpful to all .
Take your time , keep it ‘ uncluttered ’
The ’ 20 things I know about this passage in 7 mins ’ is not a good model for preaching ( but surprisingly common ). What is the one key thing you want people to understand ? Stay with that . Notice it . Tell a story about it . Question it . Value it .
Take your time , because the congregation need time to process something you have spent much longer preparing for and wrestling with . If you are like me and speak at 100 words per second in casual conversation , slow down ! Speak clearly , concisely , and confidently . Pace yourself , and take the congregation with you .
If you are working with an Interpreter , keep them where you can see them , so that you share the preaching together and don ’ t rush ahead of them . They are not just turning your English into the equivalent word in the other language – they are waiting for the context of each sentence before translating , in order to stay faithful to the meaning . If you have your sermon in written form , give your interpreter a copy the day before . If you preach ‘ off-the-cuff ’ then try to provide them with some key points you intend to make ( written in note form ).
Remember , if your sermon was worth your preparation time :
• you need to ensure it can be easily accessed and received
• you need to deliver it in a way where you are at your best .
Katie Tupling
Revd Katie Tupling is an author , an Anglican priest , and has cerebral palsy . She is Oxford Diocesan Disability Adviser and co-founder of user-led group Disability and Jesus
@ DisabilityJ @ KtTup .