Accessibility tip: Phones in church – what’s really going on?
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It’s important to us that as many people can access our services as possible – everyone is welcome.
We also work with local parishes and other groups from across Greater Manchester and Lancashire to improve accessibility and offer a range of services to support people from some of those communities too – from training to advice and practical ways to make your community, organisation and services more accessible.
Here, Minna from our accessibility service, asks: “Phones in church – what’s really going on?”…
I’ve been using my phone so long in church that it’s something I don’t even think about anymore.
Recently, though, someone told me of their anxiety to use their phone to follow the Mass.
My response was simple: “But you can’t hear it properly?”. Their response took me aback for a second: “other people don’t know that though?”.
I think it’s easy to assume we know what is going on with people and then make judgements. I’m certainly guilty of that in some contexts. So, I wanted to make this month’s accessibility awareness tip about this.
If you see someone using a mobile phone in church, do try to be aware that this may be an aid to support their participation in the Mass.
They may be changing hearing aid settings, using apps such as Universalis to follow the readings (or the whole Mass because of deafness or a native language), or even, reading the homily, forwarded by the parish priest in generous and mindful anticipation.
If you have ideas about other tips we could share to help others improve accessibility in their parish community, please get in touch with Minna by emailing accessibility@caritassalford.org.uk