By Catherine Male
Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Australia, a Christian international development organisation, has introduced a series of online video resources aimed at making Australian churches more inclusive for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodivergence.
According to 2022 data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in five Australians, 5.5 million people, live with a disability. CBM Australia sees this as a significant challenge for churches, as nearly 20 per cent of the population may struggle to feel fully included in worship services and church activities.
In a statement issued to the Christian Daily Mail on February 20, 2025, CBM Australia highlighted research showing that while many churches offer accessibility features such as ramps, hearing loops, and accessible toilets, fewer focus on developing programmes and training to foster a community where individuals with disabilities can fully participate and feel a sense of belonging.
“The new programme makes it possible for anyone to learn how to better understand, support, and welcome people with disabilities, mental health conditions, or neurodivergences such as ADHD and autism,” the CBM Australia statement read.
