Kay Morgan-Gurr, co-founder of the Additional Needs Alliance and curator of Pondering Platypus Resources, and our head of public policy, Alicia Edmund discuss the politics of disability and the attitudes that underly how we approach disability within the church. They also talk about how proposed changes to both Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision and disability benefits will impact those living with disabilities.
Conversations about disability in the political sphere are often framed around economic cost and portray people with disability as a burden. They discuss the need to challenge our preconceptions, as well as the reality for those living with disabilities and how the proposed changes to PIP payments and other disability benefits will impact those who are disabled.
They discuss the experience of disability within the church, and how the church can be better at discipling, including and listening to those with disabilities.
Towards the end of the interview, Kay and Alicia talk about the recent proposed SEND reforms. These focus on embedding SEND provision in mainstream education rather than relying on alternative provision or specialist schools. Whilst this may benefit and enable children to stay in mainstream education, Kay highlights how this could leave many children ‘falling through the cracks’. The episode finishes with the question; how can the church best support parents of children with SEND whilst they navigate a reforming system?
The Evangelical Alliance will be submitting a response to the government consultation on SEND. If you would like to share your views, the consultation is open until the 18 May.
Chapters:
0:00 Welcome
1:04 Kay’s faith journey and lived experience with disability
2:52 The Get Britain Working white paper and PIP payments
9:14 Priorities for a government disability plan
11:33 Cultural attitudes and destigmatising disability
16:08 Discipleship and the role of the church for those with disabilities
24:35 Special Educational Needs reform
29:42 Practical advice for churches and closing remarks
Further reading and resources
My story: Usha Reifsnider
Dr Usha Reifsnider, co-regional director of Lausanne Europe, explores the extraordinary potential of community – if only we will bear each other’s burdens
