Sometimes disabled people – especially those with mental impairments have outbursts in church.  How should churches handle this?  Should they be banned?  Should they be segregated from the rest of the church population?I think this is a very touchy subject.  Many people with disabilities often use unacceptable behaviors when crying for help – but at what point do churches have to draw the line?  Should people with disabilities be segregated from the rest of the church congregation during worship and teaching?  What would make segregation acceptable?

Churches must really be careful because of laws such as the American’s With Disabilities Act could easily result in a law suit if you ban someone, or treat someone different just because of a disability or impairment. Violating ADA can also result in a bunch of negative coverage for your church as well.  As people for disabilities are now more then ever starting to advocate for themselves accomodations must be made for those with disabilities – including those that effect behavior.

Obviously the safety of those in the church is a good reason to bar someone from attending.  But what about if they are a disruption during worship or teaching, should you bar them from attending then?  When do you draw the line on whats an acceptable reason to bar a disabled person from attending church?

If you do bar someone from attending – do you offer them any other form of church, such as a small group or a group of people to help this person out so that they can once again attend normal church?

I would love to hear what people have to say on this topic.  Its been in the news quite a bit in the last year, and I hope to gather some thoughts and opinions on this very touchy subject.