Inclusive communication opens doors to the stories of the world

With the document “Inclusive and Accessible Communication for All,” the World Council of Churches (WCC) presents an evolving set of guidelines that shine a light on how inclusive communication is not only possible but is part of a Christian calling.

It’s “a continuous journey,” the text notes—a journey that encompasses everything from social media, print, video, oral communication, and more. 

Given the challenges facing the world today, we may well ask: How much do we know about what it means to be an inclusive communicator?

“When approaching questions of inclusivity, don’t rely on what you think you know, but rather involve and consult persons with disabilities on their communication needs and how they can best be met,” suggests the text in the introduction. “Inclusive, accessible communication is a continuous journey, and every step can be significant in scaling up efforts towards inclusion.”

Digital justice and inclusivity issues have been uppermost in the minds of ecumenical communicators. 

The guidelines state that the WCC will consistently review options for reasonable accommodation for needs of persons with disabilities across online channels—a practice that can be replicated by member churches and by communicators of good will across the world. 

“It is also important to bear in mind that specific sets of channels, tools, or technologies – such as, for example, tools for online conferencing – may facilitate participation for some people, but at the same time, risk excluding others, and that measures for inclusive communication may need to be taken accordingly,” notes the guidelines.

Behind the scenes

The guidelines are the fruit of work by the WCC Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network and WCC communication, a group that perused the current communications guidelines to see how they could be improved and updated. 

Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication, welcomed the joint work on the guidelines as ever-evolving.

“By crafting communications that are inclusive and accessible, we open the door for genuine stories that helps us reach each other in very human ways,” she said. “As communicators, we must navigate the world together, with multiple voices, and with utmost care for one another. We have a special call as Christians.”

John Christensen, WCC project officer for the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, said he hopes the guidelines will be received as a working toolbox for church communicators everywhere. “Just as we have learned and adapted so much in our communications due to the pandemic, I hope that we will not be complacent and go back to what we were doing before, but instead learn from the things we have done in recent years and strive to keep adding to them.”

Some people may feel like they are already doing a good job with providing services that best help to suit the needs of all those already in their communities, acknowledged Christensen. “Many people are,” he said. “I would remind them that we should do our best not simply to provide for those we already include, but those who we don't yet include.”

In other words, open inclusive doors before they are needed, suggested Christensen. 

“Others may feel that it is not feasible for them to make changes due to financial or technological restraints,” he said. “Not everyone may be able to do every little thing but we can all do something to better our inclusive communications and the way we interact with all of the people of the world around us.”

Another challenge for those drafting the guidelines was that technology is rapidly changing. 

“That is part of these guidelines too—simply letting people know about all the many things that are now available,” said Christensen. 

Syovata Shalon Kilonzo, a WCC communications officer based in Nairobi, Kenya, hopes the communications guidelines will be received by WCC member churches and partners as a way to create a church community where persons with disabilities feel they belong.

“Their implementation calls for prior planning, consultation with persons with disabilities, and continuous evaluation to see where to improve,” she said. “It is important to realise reasonable changes in the way we communicate will be required for effective implementation of the guidelines.”

The most challenging part of developing the guidelines was to always bear in mind that the WCC audience is international, Kilonzo added. “I realised what would be considered okay in one part of the world was not in another part,” she explained. “We had to consult widely and research on best practices globally.” 

Working on the guidelines gave Kilonzo hope that the world is taking steps towards building a more inclusive church and society. “They might seem small but they are the blocks we need to build inclusive churches and societies,” she said. 

“Inclusive and Accessible Communication for All” serves as an appendix to the WCC communication strategy, which was revised and approved by the central committee in June 2023, and sets out the strategic direction for all the organization’s communication work in the current implementation period (2023-2030).

Full document: Inclusive and Accessible Communication for All

WCC Communication Strategy