JACKSONVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) -- A church in Jacksonville is helping people with disabilities by making their entire facility all-inclusive and they're hoping other churches will start doing the same.
New Commandment Church in Jacksonville is a church of inclusion. Senior Pastor Eddie Miller said it's something a lot of people don't think about but he does.
“We are disability friendly, we focus a lot on people being accepted with disabilities and not only accessible but making sure the church is accessible for them,” he said.
He has a concrete ramp on the outside, a ramp leading up to the stage on the inside, bathrooms are wheelchair-accessible and so is his worship center.
“We choose chairs because it's easy to unhook them and move them to allow room for a wheelchair and every row is at least 36 inches wide,” Pastor Miller said.
Pastor Miller even put a comfort room in the back of the church that has one person on staff every Sunday.
“We created this room to make sure that children with disabilities would have a place to come if a meltdown occurred,” he said.
In the room kids can color, play with toys, draw, or just lay down.
“The parent doesn't have to leave church and neither does the child. The child can go to the room and calm down then go back out to the service,” he said.
Church member Velma Overton-Oliver used to rely on a walker to get around.
“Sometimes you feel a little self-conscious because people are looking at you and you want to feel comfortable when you go out places,’ she said.
The one place she did feel comfortable was church and said she wants everyone to feel that way.
“It would be nice if more churches had it, they would have more members and it would help the families as well for those who are in wheelchairs or have walkers or canes. People with disabilities wouldn't have to stay at home or be left alone,” she said.
Pastor Miller said if anyone would like help on how to make their church more accessible, he would be happy to help. You can reach Pastor Miller at 501-983-4029.