Disability and Justice

When social justice is mentioned, I doubt the first thing that comes to mind is disability.

But those with disabilities are twice as likely to live in low-income households than those who live without such conditions and this hasn’t changed over the last decade (according to poverty.org). Given recent cuts to the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP), I dread to imagine what has happened to that statistic now. On top of that, according to statistics collected by mencap, 50% of children and adults with a learning disability have suffered from chronic loneliness which can lead to further health issues such as depression and stress.

I think the best way to describe the situation with disability rights in the UK is by relating it to a story we see in John 5. In Bethesda, there is a pool which is believed to have healing properties when the water is stirred up. John writes that many people with disabilities would wait and then go in when the water was stirred to be healed. He writes how Jesus comes to the pool, sees a man at the edge of the water who had been ill for many years and simply asks if he wants to be made well. The man, however, doesn’t give a yes or no answer but replies with a statement:

“Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.”- John 5:7

There are people with disabilities in the UK who can access the “pool”, who can walk into situations and access services without help and who do live full and independent lives. But there are still many who need someone to help them in. Whether that’s something small like reading up on disability awareness or a larger approach like helping with legal battles to get the right benefit payments, there are ways that we as the body of Christ (no matter our physical/mental ability!) can help those with disabilities access what they want and need to.

Hints and tips:

• Learn some basic British Sign Language (BSL): The Deaf are known as a “linguistic minority” and so being able to communicate with them effectively can make a world of difference to them being included. There’s an amazing company based in Exeter that provide taught classes (http://www.signupbsl.co.uk) or you can learn some basic vocabulary here http://www.signbsl.com/

• Learn about disability issues: Scope ran a brilliant campaign a few years ago called “End the Awkward” which aimed to educate people and raise awareness of what is appropriate when meeting someone with disability and can be found here: https://www.scope.org.uk/end-the-awkward There are loads of other charities that do similar things so I recommend doing some research!

• Volunteer: A lot of disability work is not for the faint hearted but is genuinely one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. The charity Sense run a café next to Rediscover church and they are always looking for help: https://www.sense.org.uk/content/providence-court-and-caf%C3%A9-55 Or if you’re looking for something to do summer ‘18 come on the Our Place or Access team at New Wine (would strongly recommend): https://united.new-wine.org/teams/additional-needs