Disabled Muslims Australia

Inclusion and gatherings/events

 

When inviting or including someone affected by disability/chronic illness to gatherings you need to understand certain factors, and provide for certain needs. Disability and chronic illness vary extremely widely, but this article will concentrate on those factors most likely to affect taking part in gatherings and events. The overarching practice to follow is to open a line of communication where the person feels comfortable asking for what they need, without feeling like their privacy is being invaded and their dignity taken away. Do not force assistance onto a person. If they say they do not want help then accept and respect that. Do not invade the person's privacy by asking prying questions like "can you carry that yourself?". Instead, invite the person to ask as they feel comfortable, such as by saying, "Please let me know if there are any personal needs, don't feel shy". Never ask them why they need something. This is personal, and if they want to talk about it they will. Just accept that it is needed.

 

Chronic illness and disability can be unpredictable. Let the person know that you understand if they have to cancel at the last minute. If they do cancel assure them that you understand and that there will be a next time. Make sure that you do invite them again. We want to be invited and can't help our unpredictable health. It hurts to not be asked more than it hurts to have to cancel.

 

Mobility and fatigue

If the person is affected by conditions that limit their mobility or cause fatigue there are several important steps to take to ensure the person is comfortable and safe.

• Set aside a chair for the person, ensuring it is empty for them and directing them to it as soon as they arrive.

• If the location has stairs, a gutter to step over or an uneven path let the person know beforehand.

• If there will be food served provide a table for the person to sit at

• If they use an aid, such as a wheelchair or walker, make sure that there is a wide unobstructed path to all necessary areas, such as the bathroom

• Set aside a car park for them closest to the location, or, if in a public place, let them know where the closest disabled parking is.

 

Food issues

Food intolerances and allergies are very common, particularly amongst those with chronic illness or disabilities. If there will be food at the gathering or event then you need to ask the person to tell you their requirements. Make sure that the food prepared for them does not contain even trace amounts of the food they cannot have, and that it is not prepared on any surfaces that have come into contact with that food. If the gathering is during Ramadan or other fasting times be mindful that they may not be able to fast, and may need access to food and drink. The best way is to open a line of communication. Let the person know to let you know if they have any requirements, or if they will be needing food or water (such as during fasting days). That is more polite than directly asking, which can be seen as an invasion of privacy or as a negative judgement by some, particularly when it comes to fasting.

 

Temperature

Many people with disabilities or chronic illness can have trouble regulating their body temperature, or can be made ill or put in pain by even slightly cold or hot temperatures. This is easily solved by asking the person if the temperature is good for them. If it is too hot turn on a fan or air conditioning. If it is too cold turn on a heater or give the person a blanket.

 

Bathroom needs

Some people may need sudden and/or frequent access to the bathroom. Ensure that there is easy access to the bathroom at all times, and that it is not occupied by people spending a long time dressing or doing other activities. These activities can be done in another room if it is available. Assist the person to jump the queue, if there is one.

 

Carers

Some people with disabilities may require a carer for certain, or even all, activities. Many people are cared for by someone of the opposite sex. Carers need to be able to accompany the one they care for in order for them to take part in gatherings and events, and must be able to be next to the at all times regardless of their gender. If the person you are inviting is a carer then inform them that they are welcome to bring the person they care for, and that person is welcome to sit with them. If the one you are inviting has a disability inform them that if they need someone to accompany them they are most welcome, regardless of the sex. It is fine to ask them to let you know so you can be prepared. It is not difficult to simply wear hijab if a carer or person of the opposite sex needs to be present. It is very hurtful, isolating and cruel to exclude people for this reason.

 

Smoke

Many people can be affected by smoke in the air, whether it is from cooking, incense, cigarettes or hookah/hubbly bubbly. If you will be doing anything that will cause smoke to be released, even a small amount, check with all the guests first. If someone does have a problem with smoke there are many alternatives to make the environment safe for them. Ask people to smoke outside, and away from any areas people have to walkthrough (such as the front of the building). Use cooking methods that do not give off smoke. If you must use methods that give off smoke do this outside in an area people do not need to walk through and will not be gathering in. Instead of burning incense there are many melts, oil burners or air perfumes that do not give off any smoke.

 

Dirt on wheelchairs/mobility devices

Just as the shoes you walk in gather dirt so do wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices. Sadly, this has resulted in some people being cruelly excluded from some mosques. Whilst concern for the cleanliness of the mosque is very important and required it is not required at the cost of excluding a person due to something they cannot help. Carpets and floors can easily be cleaned, but the hurt to a person from being excluded due to matters out of their control can not be simply cleaned away, nor can the sins of showing such cruelty to a person affected by disability and forbidding them to practice their faith as you do. It is entirely inappropriate to ask a person affected by disability to leave their wheelchair/walking stick/walker outside or in another designated area. Mobility aids are necessary equipment for the basic need of independence and safe movement. You would not ask someone to leave their legs in the shoe area. It is also inappropriate and unsafe to ask a person to leave their device and use one provided by the mosque/centre/establishment. This is for several reasons. Mobility devices are very specialised and are made specifically to suit each person's ability and need. It is unsafe to use a mobility device not made and measured to the person's size and needs, potentially causing the person to become injured or reduce the independence their own device provides them. I personally cannot use other wheelchairs. If I had to change out of my own wheelchair I simply could not attend the mosque at all or I would be injured, in severe pain, and unable to even get myself to the bathroom. The other reason is that it is very rude and discriminatory. You would not expect a person to take off their clothes and put on those belonging to others as it would suggest that they are not good enough and are unworthy to enter as they are. A product called wheelchair slippers does exist but these only fit standard manual wheelchair wheels and not attendant propelled wheelchairs, smaller chairs, or powered wheelchairs. Many people are also physically unable to put them on, and it is unsafe to ask a person to transfer from the chair so you can put them on. Do not place a cloth, plastic sheet or towel down. It can get pulled into wheels and moving parts, particularly when trying to turn, and offers a significant risk of tripping a person or causing them to slip over. It can also be difficult to get over the lip. If there is dirt on a mobility aid you may offer to assist in cleaning it. 

 

How to clean the dirt off a mobility aid:

• Do not ask a person to get out of their wheelchair. If they use a walking stick or walker provide them with a chair to sit on so they do not need to stand unaided and do not need to hold on to the device whilst you shake it during cleaning.

• Make sure the mobility aid is locked and turned off to avoid it moving and trapping fingers

• Do not pour, spray or splash water onto a mobility aid. This can cause rust, and can damage electronic parts

• Dampen a cloth and wipe it over the dirty areas, making sure to not put the cloth or your hand into any area you cannot see or into the interior.

• Make sure you thoroughly towel dry any areas that came into contact with the cloth or water to avoid damage and slipping

 

Assistance dogs

There is a dedicated article regarding assistance dogs. Please see the following link:

 

 

Written by Nicola Shebaily 4/7/2014