The Church of Ireland is encouraging its parishes to participate in this year's Disability Awareness Sunday on 19 November.

It is hoped the day will provide a stepping stone for more people with disabilities to enter fully into the life of the church.

Dr Judith McGaffin, a member of the Working Group on Disability, said: "Disability Awareness Sunday will be an important day in raising awareness of those issues which often isolate so many people with a disability.

"Very importantly, too, it is a celebration of the skills and gifts which people with disabilities have to offer."

Disability Awareness Sunday has the active support of the Archbishop of Armagh, and the other Bishops. It was held for the first time last year and has now become an annual event.

If the date this year does not fit in with parish plans, rectors are being encouraged to celebrate the occasion on another Sunday.

Earlier in the year, the Methodist Church launched a new disability justice strategy to make its buildings and activities welcoming and accessible to all.

While the immediate focus of the project is on disability justice, the work is also part of a wider campaign to assess the extent to which the unconscious prejudging of others exists within Methodist churches and members.

"Lack of physical access is just one visible way in which we inadvertently exclude some people, but we need to recognise that there are also invisible ways as well. As a Church we believe that we exist to welcome and support everyone," said the Methodist Church's Alison Parker, who heads the strategy.