Handicapped
Ask the handicapped person if they need assistance to their seat. Never try to grab the arm of a person on a cane or walker since they may be concentrating on keeping their balance. Also, be aware that stroke victims may lack feeling on one side or may have hearing, visual or communication impairments.

If the person is in a wheelchair, introduce yourself and ask him or her if they need assistance. Don't be overeager in your attempt to help. Assure them you have sufficient space by the end of a pew and give them a preference as to how close they want to be wheeled near the front of the sanctuary.

Don't Forget The Basics
Always be aware of the person's comfort and safety when transporting an individual in a wheelchair. Know the mechanics of a wheelchair-adjustable footrests, restraining straps, how to lock and unlock brakes and how to move it safely. Make sure the person's arms are resting inside of the armrests (not hanging down) and secure the feet. Avoid jolting or jerking steps that would throw a person forward. Stay alert!

Never give a handicapped person the impression that he or she is burdensome, frightful or that you are unable to accommodate them. Disabilities are not contagious diseases.

Talk directly to the disabled individual. Try not to focus completely on the person's disability, yet don't ignore it as if it doesn't exist. Sensitivity and common sense instead of pity will help you establish a relationship. If the person doesn't need assistance, then just offer your encouraging presence.

Also, tell the person to please signal you or another usher during the service if a special need arises. And try to make provision by the side or rear of the wheelchair for the person's assistant or relative.

Be Sensitive
I once heard of an usher who said to people arriving in wheelchairs, "Wheelchairs on the left!" Some of the guests wanted to run around and say, "Lady I'm not a wheelchair, I'm a person." We need to realize that people are sitting in those wheelchairs.

Most people who use crutches and wheelchairs have some kind of pain and are hurting. If they're not hurting physically, they're usually hurting emotionally. Jesus is in you and the most important thing is to extend the love of Jesus.

You are a minister and have in you the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. I look for the day we will see the headline in the newspaper, "Man with muscular dystrophy healed by an usher's prayer."

Ushers Are the First Ones to Talk to People
When people come in on crutches they usually don't talk to anybody. The usher is often the first person they talk to. You represent the church, and you have the opportunity to extend love and grace to those in wheelchairs.

It is important to be sensitive and careful in the way you approach and talk to people, especially those in wheelchairs. Some in wheelchairs cannot get out and would be offended if you asked them to. Others, however, can get out of the chair and sit in a regular chair next to their spouse. Let the person in the wheelchair indicate if they prefer to stay in the chair or sit in a regular seat with friends or family.

Your job as an usher is to accommodate the people coming to the meeting as much as possible. There may be times you have to tell someone they can't sit in a certain place, but do it in a way that will not cause anger and strife. Many times ushers deny requests for their own convenience and not because of church policy or orders from the pastor. Remember, Jesus came to minister to others, and not to be ministered to. As ushers, you are called to do all that is possible to assist those you are serving.

Use the Correct Words
"Handicapped" is a generally accepted word. We use the term handicapped parking. There are some people who don't like that word - they don't want to even be thought of as handicapped. But I personally don't know of another word.

Do not use the term invalid. Handicapped people are not invalids. There are many people who are physically whole, and they are invalids.
The word assistance is better than help, and ushers should make an effort to be aware of that. You are here to serve the people - all the people. Some people would be insulted if you suggested they need help, but most would be happy to be offered assistance.

Some of the people are going to come in half mad anyway, and they don't like being in a wheelchair. They are half mad at the world and they will take it out on the ushers. Some people think the church owes them. In such cases you have to be patient, just like with anyone else.

Many in wheelchairs will want to sit in their wheelchairs on the floor in the front, and ushers should realize that option is available. The reason they might prefer sitting down front is that for 30 minutes when the service starts, everyone is standing up praising the Lord and those in wheelchairs cannot see.

We should have special consideration for those persons who are in wheelchairs, because they can't stand up and they can't see what's going on when everyone else is standing up.

The Handicapped in Prayer Lines
Handicapped persons should be assisted into the prayer line in the same way any other person is assisted. Ushers sometimes are concerned they are hindering the faith of one in a wheelchair coming to the prayer line.

The person in a wheelchair should be allowed to come on their own, and directed or assisted to the place in the line, to keep everything orderly and allow the minister to get to them. It is an individual judgment call as to how much assistance to give in a prayer line.

Usher's Checklist

1. Am I conscious of the needs of different individuals and do I try to meet them at the point of their need?
2. Is punctuality and dependability a top priority in my ushering commitment?
3. Do I have the ability to deal tactfully, kindly and swiftly when distractions occur?
4. Do I have an efficient system worked out between other ushers for removing problem people?
5. Am I sensitive to the needs of the elderly and the handicapped?
6. Do I try to educate myself with information that will help me specialize my service to them?

Source: Ushering 101 by Buddy Bell
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers