Diocesan survey asks disabled, their families about parish life

Published: 2006-07-03

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- To help the recently formed Diocesan Disabilities Task Force in its work, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Harrisburg is asking individuals with disabilities and their immediate family members to complete a Web-based survey about their personal experiences of parish life. The anonymous survey, in Spanish and English, also is available in print and in a Braille version. "The information and recommendations from responses to this survey will be incorporated into a special report to me in early 2007," Bishop Rhoades said in a letter asking for participation by the disabled and their family members. The deadline for the survey was July 10. The 24-question survey deals with a wide variety of concerns, from whether handicapped parking is convenient, reserved and marked to whether people with disabilities serve as altar servers, lectors, ushers and musicians at regular church services. It also asks whether families of the disabled receive ongoing support from the parish staff, and whether assistive devices are available for Masses and the sacrament of reconciliation.

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