Beyond Silence: The Silent Aspiration of Deaf Believers

Imagine yourself sitting in a church pew. Around you, voices rise in powerful song, the pastor shares a message that seems to touch hearts, laughter erupts during the announcements. You see the smiles, the tears of emotion, but you hear nothing. The sermon, the prayers, the words of comfort from your neighbor... everything takes place behind an invisible glass wall. For thousands of deaf and hard-of-hearing people, this experience of loneliness in the heart of communion is not fiction. It is their reality every Sunday, a spiritual thirst that struggles to be quenched, a silent longing to be fully part of God's family.

Historically, deaf ministries have been an extension of their deaf community, in part because of their support for deaf education and mission. For example, in the mid-19th century, the Episcopal Church ordained its first deaf deacon in the United States. The Methodist Church was the fourth denomination to have a deaf pastor serve a deaf congregation in Chicago, which was close to the turn of the 20th century. Click here for a brief overview of the history of deaf Christians and click here for a more comprehensive account.

1. Understanding the needs of deaf people in the Church

Unfortunately, many people with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, feel isolated and alone, even within their churches. Rev. Justin Hancock, a deacon and co-founder of The Julian Way, who lives with cerebral palsy, said that disability is often a very lonely and isolating experience. This is a reality shared by more than 700,000 Arizonans and 36 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss. If left untreated, hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, and even depression. People may feel cut off from conversations and activities, and be embarrassed to talk about it. (Watch the video: I'm Hard of Hearing... Now What?) 

It is essential to distinguish between the different experiences associated with hearing loss:

• Deaf people (with a capital "D") do not perceive their deafness as a disability, but as a way of life and a culture, due to their use of sign language (such as ASL, American Sign Language). Most deaf people do NOT read lips.
• Hard of hearing people can understand speech with the help of amplified sound (hearing aids) or by lip reading. They may have mild to severe hearing loss. The majority of these people do not use sign language.
• Late-deafened people have lost the ability to understand speech after acquiring spoken language and were raised in the hearing community. Most do not learn sign language.
• Deafblind individuals have significant hearing and vision loss. Their communication needs are extremely varied. Read: Guidance for a Deaf-blind Ministry.

From a theological perspective, the Church is called to be a body where all members are essential, each part having a unique function. God's creation is inherently good, and that includes aspects of existence that the world perceives as "disabilities." Rev. Justin Hancock points out that what the world labels as disabilities are also marks of God's creativity and can be used by God to produce good fruit. Lisa Hancock, director of worship arts and co-founder of The Julian Way, adds that people with disabilities have tremendous gifts and assets to offer the Church. Jesus calls us to inclusion, to abandon the spirit of exclusion and to show hospitality to all, regardless of their circumstances.

2. Challenges to Worship Participation

The full participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in church life is often hindered by various barriers.

• Communication barriers
• Architectural barriers
• Behavioral and theological barriers (ableism and audism)

3. The crucial importance of accessibility and communication

The Church is called to be a place where everyone can participate fully in the life of faith. By recognizing and addressing the challenges of isolation, communication barriers, and prejudice, we can build a space where everyone brings their unique gifts to the Body of Christ (Read also: Embracing inclusive and accessible church communities).

• Theological imperative
  • God created all humanity in his image, and every part of the body of Christ is necessary. Human diversity is a mark of God's creativity.
  • Jesus exhorts us to be inclusive and hospitable to all, regardless of their circumstances. Refusal to love in an agapic sense, that is, to care for and serve others in their circumstances, is considered a sin.
  • People with disabilities have tremendous gifts to offer. By removing barriers, the Church is enriched and moves closer to a full expression of God's kingdom on Earth.
• Pillars of accessibility and communication
  • Assess and include: It is essential to assess the accessibility of congregations, including communication accessibility audits. The voices of people with disabilities must be included in decisions.
  • Respectful language: Use person-first language (Understanding Ableism — R-Squared) and avoid terms considered negative by the Deaf community, such as "hearing impaired" or "deaf and dumb" (Etiquette and Communication with Persons with Disabilities — R-Squared).
  • Ask for preferences: Always ask individuals what their preferred methods of communication are, as these can vary considerably (sign language, lip reading, hearing aids, subtitles, etc.).
  • Visual aids:
    • Provide captions on television screens, projected screens, or via applications such as Otter.ai or Microsoft products (PowerPoint 2016 or newer). CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) provides a real-time, word-for-word transcription of speech (I'm Hard of Hearing... Now What?).
    • Make printed materials available, such as complete bulletins with songs, prayers, and announcements, large-print materials, and sermon notes.
    • Use multimedia to make services more visual, including American Sign Language (ASL) videos.
    • Ensure adequate lighting for speakers and interpreters, avoid backlighting, and do not dim the lights to the point of obscuring visibility.
  • Assistive Listening Systems (ALS):
    • Hearing loops (T-coils) are considered the most user-friendly option, transmitting sound directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants, eliminating background noise and reverberation. These systems can greatly help facilitate the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in our United Methodist Churches. Ibrahim Dabo testifies that hearing loops have "revolutionized [his] hearing world," offering unparalleled clarity and proximity to speech (Read also: How hearing loops can assist congregants experiencing hearing loss).
    • FM or infrared systems are other options that require personal receivers but also improve speech clarity.
    • The United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries (DHM) offers grants to churches to fund this equipment.
  • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters:
    • Use qualified interpreters, ensuring that they are well lit and visible, and providing them with the necessary preparation materials (sermon notes, hymns, prayers). For events lasting 90 minutes or more, a team of two interpreters may be necessary (A Brief Guide To Deafblind Interpreting).
    • Address the deaf or hard-of-hearing person directly, not the interpreter.
    • Churches should budget for the cost of professional interpreters. Fundraisers or special collections can help cover these costs.
    • Specific interpreters are trained in tactile communication with deafblind people.
  • Simple communication tips for hearing people: Get the person's attention before speaking. Face the person, speak clearly at a moderate pace, do not shout, and rephrase if necessary. Do not cover your mouth. In groups, make sure that all speakers use a microphone or that comments are repeated. A semi-circular seating arrangement can facilitate lip reading.
  • Promote awareness: Organizing activities such as Deaf Awareness Week is an excellent way to raise awareness and provide opportunities to learn sign language. Sign language classes may be offered by the church or online.

Conclusion

The vision of a truly welcoming and inclusive church for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals is not only a spiritual imperative, but also an opportunity to enrich the entire community. By recognizing and addressing the challenges of isolation, communication barriers, and prejudice, we can begin to build a space where everyone can fully participate in the life of faith, bringing their unique gifts to the Body of Christ.

The closing words of this article invite us to recognize the urgency and beauty of inclusion in our United Methodist churches. Understanding needs, deconstructing prejudices, and rethinking practices—these are the first steps toward a community where every member, deaf or hard of hearing, feels welcomed and valued. This challenge requires listening and a genuine willingness to adapt our spaces, our words, and our attitudes in order to break down the silence that separates us and open a path to true communion.