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About Gail
I am a churchwarden at St John the Evangelist's Church in Macclesfield where we welcome all people to all of our services. As Christians we want to be an inclusive church and to welcome everyone to worship together. We therefore have to be as accessible as possible in all matters for all people. I have personal experience of physical disability, one of our daughters has a rare muscle disorder called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita and is a wheelchair user.
Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 the church is a provider of services and so we have to take positive steps to have accessible toilets, easy access into and within our buildings, good lighting and sound, large print orders of services and hymns and induction loops fitted. Any improvements which are made do not only benefit disabled people but the whole congregation, including young families and elderly people. All should be made to feel comfortable and welcome.
What do I do?
Raise awareness of the needs of deaf and disabled people through presentations and workshops to parishes, deaneries, Cathedral events, school assemblies etc
Provide advice and information on adaptations to church buildings and other ways in which people with a disability can play a full part in church life
Co-ordinate and support teams of signers to provide signing at regular services and occasional offices
Organise twice yearly signing training weekends.
Plans for 2008
To recruit more signers in other parts of the diocese and to encourage the existing deaf church groups to meet each other
To make contact with parish churches who have not yet had an access survey and to encourage them to undertake one
To continue to encourage the inclusion of all people into the family of the church in this diocese
Contact details:
Gail Robinson Lay Chaplain for Deaf and Disabled People
29 Westbury Drive Macclesfield SK11 8LR
Gail works from home - Monday to Thursday 9-5
Tel: 01625 427453 Email: gail.robinson@chester.anglican.org
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