How Disability-Inclusive is Your Pagan Event?

Did you know that there are a significant number of people in today’s Pagan community who have a disability? Pagans with disabilities find themselves facing a unique set of issues that able-bodied people don’t have to content with. While non-disabled people may automatically assume that “disabled” means “in a wheelchair,” often disabilities are something that we cannot see. Because of this, there are sometimes conflicts between event or ritual organizers, and members of the disabled community.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act created a set of guidelines for businesses, employers and other organizations, many people with disabilities are still limited in how much participation they have in their community. Please note that this article focuses on working with members of the Pagan community who have physical disabilities. Behavioral and psychological disabilities create another set of challenges which will not be addressed here.

Accessibility Problems

A number of Pagans with physical disabilities say that the number one problem they face is that of accessibility. Rituals are often held in places that are inaccessible to people with mobility issues. Whether this is an outdoor space far from a parking lot, or in a basement with narrow stairs, the lack of accessibility can be a huge problem.

Shelagh says that she sometimes feels that she’s unable to participate in activities because of this. “A lot of events are held in the woods,” she says. “Before I got a wheelchair most of these were inaccessible to me, and even after I got a wheelchair, many still are as we can’t navigate the rough terrain.”

Willow uses a scooter to get around, or sometimes a walker. She says, “I can walk up stairs, however, dragging my djembé up three flights is nearly impossible for me. I am sure some people are willing to lend a hand but it is important to a person like myself to feel as independent as possible. Holding ritual meetings and gatherings in more accessible places would help many of us be more involved in our pagan community.”

Once a disabled person reaches the ritual area, there are even more potential issues. If a ritual organizer is unaware that someone with disabilities will be present, they may not have planned for the circumstances–and that can often present a problem. Standing for extended periods on uneven terrain, or sitting on the ground for a drum circle–while not a big deal for those who are not disabled–can be painful for someone with disabilities. In some cases, it can cause further medical issues.

Kylene says that she experienced problems after attending an event in which ritual participants were required to sit on the floor. “When it was time for us to leave the circle, my leg had literally fused in a frozen state. The next day, morning, when I woke, I could not bend my leg at all. I went to the doctor, immediately and discovered that I had dislocated my patella.”

Getting There and Back Again

Another common problem faced by Pagans with disabilities is that of transportation to and from events. Kylene says that when she asks for assistance in getting to rituals, the typical response from group members is simply “detailed bus instructions, no matter how many times I state that taking a bus is not an option for me.”

Chad has been in a wheelchair since he was a teenager. “I’m pretty self-sufficient, but one thing I don’t do is drive. I could take a cab or Uber, but that gets really expensive and is tough for someone on a fixed income. I don’t need a keeper or a nurse, I just need someone to swing by and pick me up–someone who can pull up in my driveway, let me get in the car (which I can do without assistance), and then throw my chair in the back seat or the trunk.”

Non-Mobility Challenges

In some circumstances, mobility isn’t a problem, but sensory disabilities can be. Pagans who are blind or deaf, for example, have a completely different set of needs than those who can see and hear. Aurora doesn’t belong to a coven, but participates in rituals with a local group. She says, “I am hearing impaired–I wear hearing aids and lipread which can pose some challenges in shared or public practice … Typical scenarios such as working in the dark, with eyes closed, or even just in a circle with the ritual leader moving around can all pose issues for me that I have to plan for (or work around as it happens!).”

Virginia says, “The harsh fact is, most people do NOT understand deafness and how to deal with the needs of deaf or hard of hearing people.” She explains that when she has asked for assistance from the Pagan community such as the providing of an interpreter during events, she was told it was her problem, not the organizers’. “This demonstrates a total lack of understanding of the actual role and responsibilities of an interpreter. They are NOT personal care attendants, they are communication facilitators.”

There are many disabilities that we cannot see. Mary is a perfect example of this–she suffers from multiple chemical sensitivities and chronic migraines. “This can affect my participation because so many Pagans are hooked on using synthetic fragrances … while I can deal with most natural fragrances, except floral and patchouli, people just don’t understand that there are alternatives.”

Sue suffers from fibromyalgia, and worries that her inability to do certain activities might hold her friends back. “They are talking about how nice it would be to go on group outings, walks in the countryside to identify herbs and trees … there’s no way I can manage that. I have a wheelchair but it wont be any use in the woods or up hills. I’ve told them to go without me and tell me about it when they get back, but they don’t want me to miss out either, so I don’t know what we are going to do.”

Keeping Events Inclusive

So, if you’re hosting a Pagan event, such as a ritual or public ceremony, what can you do to make things more accessible for community members with disabilities?

• If possible, announce well in advance the location of your event or festival. This will give people with mobility problems time to figure out if they can get there–and if not, it gives them time to arrange assistance. Ideally, selecting a location that is accessible in the first place will make your event far more inclusive. If the site is documented as being ADA compliant, make sure that information is passed along too.
• If you’re asked to provide an interpreter for deaf participants, make your best effort to do so. Often, local colleges and hospitals can provide you with a list of qualified interpreters. It may even be that the person asking for an interpreter knows someone who can do it. Interpreters should never be charged admission to your event–they are there to help with communication so that everyone can participate equally.
• If an attendee shows up with a service animal, understand that the dog is there to work, not as a “pet.” Don’t hassle the guest about bringing their dog.
• If your group or event has a message board or listserv, encourage members to post when they are able to provide transportation to and from events. This can make it easier not only for disabled Pagans to attend, but also for anyone else who wishes to carpool.
• If you’re a group leader, or Pagan clergy, consider offering home visits if you have a member who simply can’t get to your event.
• If there are printed materials such as handouts to be provided, try to make them available digitally ahead of time. This way, someone with visual limitations can change font sizes or contrast to make the materials more viewable.
• Do you have a disabled Pagan involved in the planning of your event? If not, reach out to someone in your community who has a disability, and ask them for input. Ask questions about what can be done to make the event inclusive to everyone, regardless of level of mobility.