As a person with a significant disability, I was intrigued by the subject matter of the article “DEI in the Church,” published by Good Faith Media on January 17. My interest largely stemmed from the fact that, for at least two reasons, I have not been welcomed and included in churches.

First, I am a clergywoman married to another clergywoman. This has been a long journey for us, both “out in the world” and the Christian community, to be welcomed and embraced, not ignored or forced to change.

In the civil sphere, Sheryl and I were able to marry legally in California in November 2008 in a Disciples church. The minister was a Black, gay clergyman from the Baptist tradition. 

However, it wasn’t until the unexpected, albeit very welcome, decision from the Supreme Court on June 15, 2015, that our marriage was made legal at the national level. Regarding the fiercely fought denominational struggles, we have largely won this battle.

Denomination by denomination, we were accepted by the mainline Protestant churches: United Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, American Baptists, Presbyterians, ELCA Lutherans, Episcopalians, and some Methodists. Thus, I am assured of being welcomed as a woman and a married lesbian in all these denominations. It is no longer an issue, even for ordination.

This is not the case with my health disability.

I became deaf in 2008. While I now have a cochlear implant, it is no substitute for natural hearing. In places like churches, I don’t just need sound amplification but, ideally, a hearing loop.

This copper loop is installed around the designated space–on the floor, the ceiling of a room below, etc. When connected to the church’s amplification system, it wirelessly sends the sound to my individually fitted telecoil setting, cutting out all the ambient noise and allowing me to hear clearly.

No headsets, nothing to check in or out, just sitting among the congregation while I switch my hearing instrument to the proper setting.

Simple, right? I wish.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) covers access to public spaces for those with visual, speech and hearing impairments, among many other disabilities. The far-reaching law prohibits discrimination against these classes in all public entities’ programs, activities and services.

That seems fair. However, there is a catch.

Places of worship are not included in these mandatory laws. They frequently post on their publicity outlets that “All are welcome. In actuality, we are not.

It is easy for us to understand visible physical disabilities and to accommodate those in wheelchairs or using walkers and canes, even if understanding does not mandate ADA compliance.

Yet, the most common disability that prevents access is hearing loss. Around 20% of the population has some level of hearing loss, which gradually increases as we age. This condition goes largely unrecognized for several reasons.


First, for many, hearing loss is gradual. We start to think that those talking to us aren’t clear or are whispering, so we ask them to speak louder. In places of worship, we tend to be passive, trying as long as possible to understand what is being said. Then, like good soldiers, we fade away, quietly leaving without explanation, with no one even noticing.

This is on us, not hearing people. We need to find our voices.

Second, the majority of those with hearing loss, whether gradual or sudden, think there is nothing that can be done. We sit there silently as long as we are able and suck it up, believing this is just our lot in life.

Third, we are not informed of ways to improve our hearing with hearing technology. Even hearing specialists do not take the time or have the knowledge to inform us of the most efficient and effective equipment to enhance our hearing, allowing us to be full participants in community life again.

Sheryl and I began our business, Hearing Access Systems, when I suddenly became deaf after “simple” knee replacement surgery in 2008. This occurred while she and I were in seminary.

It became painfully clear that this immense personal loss virtually sidelined me in the religious community. My fate was seemingly just to suffer like Job. But the divine spirit had other plans.

Fortuitously or providentially, Sheryl had been an electrical engineer before her mid-life call to ordained ministry. When we accidentally discovered the magic of hearing loops, we immediately changed our focus from pastoral leadership to fierce advocates for hearing loss and the technology that would allow people like me to rejoin the faith community.

In the last 15 years, we have installed hearing loops in hundreds of spaces across the Midwest, most of which are places of worship. A few years ago, our denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), passed a resolution mandating that congregations make their spaces accessible to LGBTQ people and those with hearing loss.


Unfortunately, words have not done the trick. This led me to invent the word “rugalotry,” which means valuing an intact carpet over the accessibility of a person with hearing loss.

I encourage churches to learn how to remove the silent asterisks from their “All are Welcome” signs and truly invite people with hearing loss into their worship spaces so they can connect with others in the faith community.

There are three questions involved in this invitation:

Can you “hear” me now?

Are you willing to act?

Can I hear YOU now?

I will be waiting on the sidelines and in silence until I hear your response.

Editor’s Note: Churches and organizations seeking to take active steps in becoming a more inclusive community for those who are hearing impaired can find information at the Hearing Loss Association of America

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