Tips for a disability-inclusive Easter at your church

11/04/2025

Rev Bec Baines is the Youthworks Accessibility Ministry Advisor for the Sydney Diocese.

With holidays, chocolates, and festivities Easter is an exciting time for many. We make a big deal out of the Easter season in church, and rightly so – it’s why we are Christians today and gather as God’s people.

The Easter season usually brings about a change in routines and often brings in visitors to church. This could be particularly challenging for children with disability or who are neurodivergent. Good Friday services tend to be more solemn and reflective, whereas Easter Sunday is often a more upbeat and lively celebration. Both services are also “out of the norm” styles of regular services and programmes.

Because of this, it’s worth thinking through ways to enable inclusive practices to help all people, whether regular, new, or visiting.

1.     Inform

·        Website – your church website is an easy way to inform people about your services and programs for the Easter season. You could upload a calendar layout or list of dates, with information such as service times and location. Include pictures of the speakers, the music band and the inside of the building, as these all help people to know what the service will entail and to identify beforehand a suitable place to sit.

·        Visual schedules / run sheets – being informed helps to reduce anxiety and to feel prepared. You can produce a handout that uses images or include a basic order of service in your church bulletin/sermon outline.

·        Change of usual activity – without being informed of changes, you may have your regular young people sticking to their usual routine when they turn up to church. Issues may arise when they are committed to their routine, and don’t understand why there’s a change. Communicate with your regular families ahead of time.

2.     Accommodate

 ·    Leading from the front - your service leader can help to inform people of what will happen during the service, as well as what actions typically follow. They can let people know when it’s usually time to stand or sit or even explain the meaning of certain prayers.

·     Provide a way to tap out of intense moments but not miss out – families appreciate when their needs have been anticipated rather than being an afterthought. If you’re aware of moments that are potentially overwhelming and overstimulating, you may like to provide alternate ways to participate. You might have a quieter area to sit in, fidget tools, colouring in, Lego blocks or various activity stations.

·     Crowd control and managing excitement – if there are high energy moments in your service, be aware that some young people with disability or who are neurodiverse may find it overwhelming. It is easy to hype people and get them excited but be sure to also have clear and specific communication and allow space to process and observe if needed.

3.     Welcome

·        Say, “hello!” – sounds simple enough, but many people with disability or who are neurodiverse are often ignored or talked about as if they were not there. Taking the time to greet them, even if you don’t get a verbal response, assures the whole family that you care and that each one of them is welcome in your church.

·        Assure them that you are glad they have come – parents can get anxious about their child, especially if they display behaviours that are different to their peers. Many families opt out of going to church, because it’s difficult to get there and they don’t feel welcome.

·        Ask how you could support them – you can ask the young person if there is anything that will help them to participate and engage in during the service. You can also ask the parents what can be helpful to be aware of. This also communicates that you want to see them again and to support them.

May you have a wonderful Easter season, as we celebrate the risen king who died for the sins of all people.