Justice: People Living with Disabilities

STORY

kids with disabilitiesGreg is a 52 year old man who has a wife and three grown children.  He had a job as an appraiser working for a good firm in the city, and a house in a quiet suburb.  Eight years ago, Greg sustained a brain injury in a car accident which left him physically paralyzed from the waist down.  Greg now suffers from short term memory loss – he can remember everything before the accident, but not after.  His brain does not communicate as it once did, leaving Greg unable to fully control his actions or his speech.  Of course, Greg gets frustrated with, and angry at his disability, and often has bouts of aggression which unintentionally intimidate and scare others.  His family knew him as a different man and struggle to relate to him now – this too makes Greg sad.  He finds that people either stare at him and his physical deformities, avoid eye contact, or speak loudly and slowly to him, treating him like a child.  He is dependent on others for most things, but not everything, as many people quickly assume.
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Who are the People Living with Disabilities? | Challenges | Do Justice |
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WHO ARE THE PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES?

It is difficult to find a general definition of disability because there are many forms of disabilities.  A human rights model for describing disabilities focuses more on environments, systems of support and the exercise of rights, rather than on functional limitations of an individual.(1) 

It might be more helpful, then, to look at several types of disabilities in order to unpack some of the characteristics of a disability, as well as the barriers that exist for people with disabilities.

Types of Disabilities

There is a broad range of disabilities, both physical and mental, that impact a person’s sense of self worth and their involvement with, and contribution to a community.  Within this range are developmental, learning and other physical disabilities, including hearing, sight, speech, agility, and mobility disabilities. People may face the challenges of mental illnesses such as bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and depression. There are people who seem to function like others but deal privately with profound challenges because they are living with "hidden" disabilities. These may be chronic conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, heart disease and others. The highest numbers of reported disability for persons living in Canada are found in the area of mobility.(2)

CHALLENGES

Those who have a disability may experience the following (this list is not exclusive):  difficulties in physical mobility, understanding or being understood, finding a job or keeping one, learning new information or skills, self care, and other daily living skills.

“There are approximately 4.5 million Canadians with disabilities and unfortunately many continue to live in extreme poverty, are unemployed or underemployed and lack adequate disability supports that would enable their ability to work, volunteer and live life to its fullest, like all other Canadian citizens.  Rates of violence and abuse against people with disabilities, in particular women with disabilities, are among the highest for any group in Canadian society. We know that for Aboriginal Canadians with disabilities these rates are even higher. According to the International Labour Organization, the annual loss of global Gross Domestic Product due to the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the labour market is between US$1.37 trillion and US$1.94 trillion."(3)

Discrimination

People with disabilities still face barriers and discrimination which prevent them from participating or contributing as equal members of society.  For example, a child with a learning disability may have difficulty engaging other children in play or conversation. She might also have problems with her family or in relationships. Those difficulties sometimes make her feel very anxious, discouraged or angry, feelings certainly not limited to those with a disability. She may also feel ashamed, embarrassed, or misunderstood, and may try to hide her frustrations.  She might be perceived, however, as being moody and uncooperative.  Those who do not experience a disability or have little knowledge of another’s disability might misunderstand, possibly leading to insensitivity or unfair judgments about her and her behaviour.

Relationship between poverty and disability

There is a strong correlation between poverty and people, particularly women, with disabilities.  A pervasive, but not exclusive, component of poverty is the underemployment of persons with disabilities, especially those who are sole income providers.  People with disabilities are often discriminated against when they search for jobs.  Furthermore, if they are able to secure a job (which helps to pay for the additional medical expenses many persons with disabilities incur), it is often with a lower wage, and the income support programs disappear (including their benefits, such as social assistance and disability pensions).(4)

Abuse and violence towards those who with disabilities

The people most vulnerable to abuse – whether verbal, physical, sexual or other –are  those with disabilities, particularly women who have profound disabilities. This is mostly because of their dependence on others to care for them.  While a disability can make it more difficult for a woman to escape or report abuse, social attitudes towards persons with disabilities are probably a bigger factor in increased vulnerability. 

There are many varying kinds of abuse:(5)

  • Neglect -such as the denial of food, lack of, or inappropriate, personal or medical care
  • Physical abuse - assault, rough or inappropriate handling, inappropriate personal or medical care, overuse of restraints, inappropriate behaviour modification, over-medication, confinement
  • Psychological abuse - verbal abuse, intimidation, social isolation, emotional deprivation, denial of the right to make personal decisions, threat of having children taken away, or being taken away from family
  • Sexual abuse - denial of sexual information/education, verbal harassment, unwanted sexual touching, assault
  • Financial exploitation - denial of access to and control over personal funds, misuse of financial resources.

 

DO JUSTICE...

DMC wants to encourage a comprehensive community ministry model which incorporates justice and advocacy.  When we meet people with disabilities, we might feel most equipped to respond with charity, taking care of their immediate, physical needs.  This response is often important and necessary.

DMC, however, wants to encourage you to wider action.  In walking with people who have disabilities, we also suggest seeking opportunities for the following:

...THROUGH MINISTRY 

  • Identify people who have disabilities within the congregation; spend time with them to simply listen to their stories (through the process of listening, some needs may arise to which the congregation can be responsive).
  • Change some of the prevailing attitudes towards people with disabilities by allowing them to use their gifts in the church.
  • Explore your own neighbourhood and find out what services are available and accessible.
  • Work with others in your community to ensure the provision of community living alternatives needed for those with disabilities.
  • Work with city councilors to remove barriers to participation in programs, community activities and employment.
  • Invite the regional Regional Disability Advocate from your classis to meet with the diaconate: www.crcna.org/pages/disability.cfm.  
  • "Inclusion Handbook: Everybody Belongs, Everybody Serves." This handbook emphasizes the importance of developing relationship and encouraging everyone in your congregation to use their gifts for God's glory, and gives church leadership the tools to do that. Download free from www.crcna.org/disability or order print copies from Faith Alive Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.
  • Consider WrapAround as an option for persons or families who face complex challenges at the same time. See www.shalemnetwork.org/support-programs/wraparound/ for more details.

 

...THROUGH ADVOCACY

  • Include persons with disabilities in the activities you participate in and recognize them for their skills and strengths.
  • Listen to and take seriously any person who says they are being abused.
  • Advocate for someone with a disability who is unable to secure a job.
  • Support policies and programs that create a safe environment that will allow persons with disabilities to move from the income support programs into the labour force and back again.

 

MORE LINKS AND RESOURCES

Websites

 

Books

  • "Living Gently in a Violent World: The Prophetic Witness of Weakness"  Hauerwas, Stanley & Jean Vanier, Intervarsity Press, 2008. The church as much to learn from an often overlooked community -- those with disabilities. Theologian Stanley Hauerwas collaborates with Jean Vanier, founder of the worldwide L'Arche communities, to explore how everyday Christians can embody a different way of being -- one marked by gentleness, peacemaking and faithfulness.
  • "Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality" Thomas E. Reynolds, Brazos Press, 2008. As parents of a son with disabilities, Thomas Reynolds and his wife know what it's like to be misunderstood by a church community. In Vulnerable Communion, Reynolds draws upon that personal experience and a diverse body of literature to empower churches and individuals to foster deeper hospitality toward persons with disabilities.
  • "A Compassionate Journey: Coming Alongside People with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses" by John Cook. A Compassionate Journey guides readers in the practice of compassion and provides a helpful perspective on caring in the face of long-term need. Available from Faith Alive Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.
  • "Learning Disabilities and the Church: Including All God's Kids in Your Education and Worship" by Cynthia Holder Rich and Martha Ross-Mockaitis. Most churches are set up for a "one size fits all" approach to ministry and worship. But one size does not fit all. This is a manual that helps churches better serve the needs of children and youth with learning disabilities by describing practical ideas and strategies. Available from Faith Alive Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.
  • "Expressing Faith in Jesus (revised edition)" by Ronald C. Vredeveld. This resource guides Friendship leaders/mentors, elders, pastors, and families as they help persons with cognitive impairments prepare to express their faith and become full members of a faith community. Available from Faith Alive Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.
  • "Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities" by Barbara Newman. This how-to manual equips teachers, church activity leaders, and kids with the information they need to practice inclusive education in community. Available from Faith Alive Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.
  • "Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders" by Barbara Newman. This is a unique resource that will help your church embrace people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into the full life of your congregation. Available from Faith Alive Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.
  • "That All May Worship" edited by Ginny Thornburgh. The purpose of the handbook is to assist congregations, national faith groups and seminaries in welcoming people with disabilities. The handbook is interfaith in scope and concerns people with all types of disabilities. Available through Disabilities Concerns at www.crcna.org/pages/disability.cfm.

 

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Footnotes:

1  www.yorku.ca/drpi/Canada.html

2  www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/audiences/disabilities/index.shtml

3  www.ilcanada.ca/article/un-day-2008-432.asp

4  www.ccsd.ca/perception/233/disab.htm

5  www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/html/femdisab_e.html