Introducing the accessibility Bible
Bec Baines recommends an accessible edition of the NIV - the NIRV: designed to be a Bible that could be easily read and understood by people with an intellectual disability, without being childish.
If you’re looking into buying new Bibles for your kids or youth group and you’re not too sure which version to go with, or you’re just wondering if there are any other Bibles that you could use in your ministries, could I recommend the New International Readers Version (NIRV) Accessible Edition Bible?
My friend Louise Gosbell and I came across the Accessible Edition of the NIRV when we were doing some research and writing on disability in the church. It was designed to be a Bible that could be easily read and understood by people with an intellectual disability, without being childish. Children’s bibles are great for kids but not so great for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
It is a wonderful investment and resource to have available in your ministry programs and here’s why I think your church should invest in these Bibles.
Firstly, it is a version of God’s word which is an easier read for young people, particularly those with an intellectual disability. Possibly best described as being halfway between the CEV Bible and the NIV, it makes God’s word simpler to follow along and absorb, whilst staying close to the original translation.
For example, looking at John 3:16…
16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. (CEV)
16 God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. (NIRV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
The NIRV and the NIV sound similar, but the readability of the NIRV means that the main point comes across as a little clearer, that anyone who believes in Jesus will not die but have eternal life. Grasping the main point is really important for young people with an intellectual disability. The CEV version has potential to cause confusion when it says, “never really die”.
The NIRV would be a great addition if your church already uses NIV, as it wouldn’t be a big change between the two versions.
In addition to the translation being more accessible for young people and those with an intellectual disability, the format, font style, font size, and even page colour makes the Accessible Edition physically easier to read. So much so that all people might actually enjoy reading from this print of Bible – in fact, it’s usually my go-to Bible when I want to read a passage.
The chapter and verse numbers are all along the side of the margins so that it is easier to reference the Bible verse, rather than looking within the text for the verse you’re looking up. However, at times, it can make it confusing as to where the verse actually starts and stops, as the paragraph continues until it reaches a natural ending.
2. Secondly, the NIRV is published in a variety of other formats, so if you wanted the whole group to have the same version of the Bible, you would be able to buy other versions of the NIRV Bible. Everyone in your group would be able to use the same version of the Bible and to read along together, but to be able to read it from a copy that best suits the individual reader.
3. Finally, having copies of the Accessible Edition in your stock of Bibles shows the wider community that all people are welcome in our church. We could think of Matthew 19:14 where it says, “let the children come to me”. But even better is the fact that Jesus has invited and welcomed all people into His kingdom when He tells the parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14:15-24, reminding us that no matter who people are, all people are invited to know Jesus and call Him saviour.
What we have available to access in our churches sends a strong message to our communities about who is welcome, and if we have the ability to upgrade our resources, why not consider and make it so that all people have access and can use them? In this case, we are talking about all people being able to have access to God’s word as part of our church communities.
At this time, the Accessible Edition of the NIRV is only available in the New Testament, but it is at an accessible price of $9.99 here.
I encourage you to check it out. Let’s hold out the word of life to everyone!
Bec Baines currently serves as the Assistant Minister - Children and Youth at St Clement’s Anglican, Mosman. She is on the committee for Jesus Club ministries and is passionate about supporting and training churches to welcome people with a disability.