This blog site is a place for conversation and exchange amongst people with an interest in the connection of disability and faith.
The Uniting Church seeks to be a community enriched by the involvement and contribution of all people. Some recent multi-faith research, ‘To Belong I need to be Missed’ (see below) recognises that hospitality and justice are themes all faith communities aspire to.
Our blog site is an opportunity to share learnings/ideas/comments to strengthen relationships with people marginalised by disability.
Mosques/Community Centres (PDF)
Some helpful resources and suggestions for Muslim communities wishing to enhance inclusion for people with disabilities.
A Place to Belong
A Brisbane-based site with resources about inclusion, and an opportunity to interact with others and raise questions.
A terrific US video that highlights issues of stigma and exclusion, within Jewish communities.
Happy Chanukah video
To Belong I need to be Missed
The link above is a DVD of the multi-faith and disability project completed in 2010.
It represents Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish perspectives.
Congrats to the Count Me In crew and thanks to all people in faith communities who added signatures and support.
In September 2011, at its 5 day meeting, the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting Church in Australia, received a proposal for Victorian and Tasmanian congregations and agencies to lend support to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Synod resolved:
(a) To support the urgent implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) as recommended by the Australian Productivity Commission; and
(b) To communicate its support for the schemes to the leaders of the Liberal Party, the National Party, the Labor Party, the Australian Greens, and independent members encouraging their support.
This is a terrific development and please encourage other faith communities to also gain the support of leadership in a similar way, and also to encourage people to sign up to the campaign at www.everyaustraliancounts.org.au
The aim is to have 100,000 signatures and it’s as easy as hitting the right button.
Dr Ian Gawler
A really envigorating day with lots of connections old and new. Presentations in the morning were from a range of projects that have been striving to promote and encourage mutually positive relationships in a range of faith contexts. In the afternoon, presentations were received from Buddhist, Christian and Jewish perspectives: from people with disabilities and faith leaders We were graced with the poetry of Anne Carson, and surrounded by artistic pieces displayed from participants of Araluen, based out at Eltham. A rich sensory feast!!
The conclusion of the day witnessed the official launch, by Dr Ian Gawler, of the Buddhist Council of Victoria’s new access booklet, designed to encourage all temples in Australia to undertake an audit. A fitting climax to the day, and already three temples have undertaken the audit.
This conference will be an opportunity for people with an interest in this topic to come together. To hear of some initiatives and work being undertaken, to share your ideas and stories and make new connections. Auspicing has been provided by the Faith Communities Council of Victoria and the Victorian Council of Churches, with financial support provided by the Victorian Multicultural Commission. The Uniting Church has offered to be the host.
Please spread the word and hope to see you there!
Andy Calder
FaithCommunity brochure (PDF)
FaithCommunity brochure (Word)
EE Invitation
The Council has recently endorsed a Statement of Intention for the provision of Disability Access to Places of Worship for the Buddhist Community. This is a terrific initiative and underlines the importance of governing bodies and people with disabilities working together to improve circumstances for the entire community. Along with Explanatory Notes there is a Disability Audit for individual communities to begin thinking about and planning their responses. Aust Council Statement of Intention
