The Diocese of St Albans is committed to Living God’s Love by ensuring that every person can participate fully in the life of the Church.
This page brings together resources, guidance, and support to help parishes become more accessible and inclusive communities where everyone belongs. It also provides information about disability and Deaf concerns across the Diocese, including key contacts, national awareness campaigns, and practical tools for churches.
Resource Bank
Our resource bank brings together a range of helpful links, including guidance, tools, and information to support churches in becoming more accessible and inclusive. We are always keen to expand and improve these resources, so if you know of a useful website, document, or organisation that could benefit others, please do get in touch.
General Accessibility and Inclusion
Accessibility Icons
Downloadable icons have been produced by the Church of England for parishes to give better and clearer information about the accessibility of their buildings, services and events.
Barrier-Free Belonging
A Church of England resource exploring how churches can become places of belonging and inclusion for disabled people.
ChurchCare Accessibility Guidance
Practical advice on improving accessibility in church buildings, including listed buildings and heritage considerations.
Equality Act: Making Buildings Fully Accessible
A guide explaining the Equality Act and practical ways to improve physical access to church buildings.
A Place to Belong
A Church of England guide to welcoming and including disabled people in every aspect of church life.
Inclusive Church
A network and charity supporting churches in becoming more welcoming and inclusive communities.
Through the Roof
Provides training, resources and support to help churches include disabled people and their families.
Mosaic
A movement supporting Anglicans who are committed to building more inclusive churches.
Disabilities and Additional Needs
Mencap
The UK’s leading charity for people with learning disabilities, offering information and support.
Count Everyone In
Provides training and resources to help churches include adults with learning disabilities.
Additional Needs Alliance
Supports churches and families in creating places of belonging for children, young people and adults with additional needs or disabilities.
Valuing People with Down’s Syndrome Toolkit (Church of England)
Practical guidance and resources to help churches welcome and support people with Down’s syndrome.
Autism
Welcoming Autism: Church Guidelines
A guide to understanding autism and creating more welcoming and accessible church environments.
Autism and Church Video
A short video offering insight into autism and how churches can become more inclusive.
Deafness and Hearing Loss
Open Ears
Supports churches in becoming more accessible and welcoming for Deaf people and those with hearing loss.
Signs of God
A Christian ministry providing British Sign Language resources and support for Deaf Christians.
Church Deaf Awareness training
An 18 minute video by Deaf priest Neil Robinson explaining how to best help deaf people feel included in church.
Dementia
Dementia Friendly Church
Resources and practical ideas to help churches become more dementia friendly.
Becoming a Dementia Friendly Church (Church of England)
A Church of England guide to supporting people living with dementia and their carers.
Dyslexia and Communication
Dyslexia-Friendly Churches Guide
Practical suggestions for making church communication and worship more accessible for people with dyslexia.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Church of England Mental Health Resources
A collection of Church of England resources, prayers and guidance relating to mental health and wellbeing.
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries
Produces faith-based resources and courses to help churches support mental health conversations.
Kintsugi Hope
Provides wellbeing groups and resources that help churches create safe spaces for people facing mental health challenges.
Visual Impairment
Torch Trust
A Christian organisation supporting people with sight loss through accessible resources, fellowship and training.
Xavier Society for the Blind
Provides free religious and spiritual materials in accessible formats for people who are blind or visually impaired.
“From the very beginning of Scripture, we are reminded that every person is created in God’s image and it is this truth that grounds our commitment to enabling full participation in the life of the Church for those with disabilities.”
Charli Conway
Disability Awareness Sunday
Disability Awareness Sunday will be celebrated on 27 September 2026, with churches encouraged to mark the occasion on any Sunday that works for their congregation. This year’s theme, “One Body, Many Parts”, is based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and highlights the vital role that disabled and neurodivergent people play in the life of the Church.
“As the Bishop with national responsibility for disability I add my encouragement to parishes to mark this important Sunday. Let us be that one body where all contribute, all are precious.” The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson
Disability Awareness Week and Resources
Free resources are available to help churches celebrate and build more inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Disability Awareness Week will run from 20 – 27 September.
A prayer from The Revd Prebendary John Beauchamp
John is blind and is the Disability Ministry Enabler for the Diocese of London. He was ordained in 1994 and had been a parish priest for 28 years before taking up his current role.
Creator God,
you made humankind in your image and ordained each person to reveal a glimpse of you in the world.
You hold all human diversity in your heart and bless each of us with the sacred potential to reflect your glory in our lives.
In the wounded and disfigured body of Jesus Christ all human bodies are redeemed, and we are each empowered to be your witnesses today.
May your church be a place where this truth is revealed, and the full diversity of humanity is able to co-exist as one body with every part named and celebrated.
Lord, challenge your church to see you in all people regardless of the labels that the world tries to give us or the judgements that are made about us.
And show us how we can bring heaven down to earth and become the Body of Christ where all of humanity can find reconciliation and peace.
Lead us into a new understanding of what it means to be a blessed community where all are welcomed and liberated.
Pour out your Spirit among us that, as one body made up of many parts, we may together be Christ for the world today.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Disability and Deaf Concerns Officer
Charli Conway is the Disability and Deaf Concerns Officer who leads and coordinates the Diocese’s work around disability inclusion, accessibility, and Deaf concerns. She works alongside diocesan leadership, parishes, and disability networks to help ensure that disabled people can participate fully in the life and mission of the Church.
Charli also supports and works closely with the Diocesan Disability Advisers, helping to develop resources, share good practice, and promote a culture of inclusion across the Diocese.
Diocesan Disability Advisers
The Diocese is supported by two Disability Advisers, who bring experience, insight, and advocacy to the Diocese’s work of inclusion. Their role is to champion the voices of disabled people and support parishes in becoming more welcoming and accessible communities.
The two advisers for the Diocese of St Albans are:
The Revd Em Coley (DDA for Hertford and St Albans Archdeaconries)
Mrs Becky Mynett (DDA for Bedford Archdeaconry)
Our advisers help our churches to see inclusion as part of Living God’s Love, ensuring that disabled people are welcomed, empowered, and celebrated as vital members of the Body of Christ.
Get in touch with your stories or queries
Read the latest updates, stories, events, and announcements relating to disability and deaf concerns across the Diocese.
If you have a story, or would like to chat to us about a project, service or event taking place where you are, or have any questions, please be in touch.