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Accessible materials are imperative and should always be prepared in advance so they are available at the same time as everyone else. Braille is fundamental to literacy! However, accessible materials should be provided for Blind or Low Vision participants in their own preferred format.
Question: Is this example of inclusive practices the norm in your community? If not, what barriers need to be removed which prevent inclusive and welcoming participation?
"The challenge facing the friends serving at the grassroots is essentially the same in every place. They must be able to read their own reality and ask: what, in light of the possibilities and requirements at hand, would be fitting objectives to pursue in the coming cycle or series of cycles?" -- December 30, 2021 UHJ to Conference of Counselors Introducing Nine Year Plan
“Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.” -Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Show/Hide a detailed description of the ShiningLamp Logo and its symbolism
Applying the Bahá’í Teachings to Remove Barriers and Build Vibrant Communities
The ShiningLamp logo places a glowing antique oil lamp before a nine-pointed star containing images of the universe. The star serves as a window onto the infinite. It represents all of creation across space and time and, in the logo’s intended symbolism, the Divine Teachings. The lamp stands here with us. Cosmic imagery reflected in its glass and brass connects spiritual guidance with a life of service we strive to accomplish.
As participants in Bahá’í community-building efforts, we strive to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities. We seek to begin by listening to marginalized minorities, learning from their experiences, and consulting with them on practical ways to remove barriers. The logo represents this humble endeavour to turn understanding into service to humanity.
The Nine-Pointed Star: Bahá’í Associations with Unity and Completeness
The nine-pointed star identifies the Bahá’í inspiration of the logo. The number nine is associated with completeness, culmination, and unity. It is also the numerical value of Bahá in the Arabic alphabet. This connection is reflected in the nine-sided form of Bahá’í Houses of Worship. Directives from the Guardian, pp. 51–52.
The star is a widely used Bahá’í emblem. Its additional role as a window onto creation and the Divine Teachings expresses the particular symbolism of this logo. Research Department, “The Nine-Pointed Star: History and Symbolism”.
Its association with unity connects the composition with the community life we strive to build. We aspire to build communities that embrace and value the diversity of the human family and remove barriers to full and equitable participation.
James Webb Space Telescope Images: The Universe within the Star
Two astronomical images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope are combined within the star. The telescope’s image known as “Webb’s First Deep Field” forms the background. Its image of the Pillars of Creation is superimposed over that background. This artistic composition brings distant galaxies and a region of star formation into one view.
The James Webb Space Telescope’s First Deep Field: Thousands of Distant Galaxies
“Webb’s First Deep Field” shows thousands of galaxies in a patch of sky approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length. Its central subject is the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723, seen as it appeared about 4.6 billion years ago. The cluster’s gravity bends and magnifies light from galaxies farther behind it. This allows astronomers to examine still earlier cosmic history. NASA, introduction to the James Webb Space Telescope’s first deep-field image.
Within the logo, these galaxies give depth to the star-shaped window. They represent the vastness of creation across space and time.
The Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula: Clouds Where Stars Form
The Pillars of Creation are immense columns of interstellar gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula. They lie approximately 6,500 light-years from Earth.
Their name reflects their role as a stellar nursery. Concentrations of material collapse under gravity, heat up, and develop into stars. The James Webb Space Telescope’s near-infrared image reveals young stars and detailed structures within and around the columns. NASA, Pillars of Creation.
Placed over the telescope’s first deep-field image, the pillars add continuing star formation to the view of distant galaxies. Together, the images represent creation in its immensity and ongoing activity. In the logo’s spiritual symbolism, this window also represents the Divine Teachings that guide our understanding and actions.
The Antique Oil Lamp: Our Humble Aspiration to Serve Humanity
The antique oil lamp occupies the foreground. Its brass base, transparent globe, and flame bring the composition into our immediate world. It represents our humble effort to receive guidance and express it through character and service.
Bahá’u’lláh writes:
“Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee. Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me.”
Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic no. 11.
The lamp and star together also recall ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s prayer:
“O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star.”
The lamp’s humility reflects the approach we seek to bring to removing barriers. We strive to listen to those who encounter them, respect their knowledge, consult with them, and examine our own decisions and practices.
Cosmic Reflections in the Lamp: Applying the Divine Teachings through Service
The universe visible through the globe and reflected on the brass connects the lamp with the star behind it. These reflections symbolize the Divine Teachings informing our understanding and finding practical expression in service to humanity.
“It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.”
Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Lawḥ-i-Maqṣúd.
At The Shining Lamp, we seek to connect this guidance with consultation, inclusive design, accessibility standards, and effective methods for removing barriers. Our aim is to apply what we learn to community programs, services, gatherings, information, and communications. We seek to reflect with those affected on whether our efforts enable equitable participation.
The Lamp’s Flame: Service in Response to the Needs of Our Age
The warm flame represents the service to humanity we strive to offer here and now.
“Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.”
Bahá’u’lláh, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 116–117.
Within Bahá’í community building, we seek to express this concern by listening to marginalized minorities and consulting with them about barriers to participation. Individuals, communities, and institutions share responsibility for carrying these efforts through planning, action, and reflection.
The lamp’s light represents our continuing aspiration to make spiritual guidance tangible through practical service that supports equitable participation and belonging.
“Therefore strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers.”
‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, Paris Talks, “Good Ideas Must Be Carried into Action,” pp. 79–81.
Inclusion and Accessibility for People with Disabilities are not products to be purchased or outsourced to others; they are shared responsibilities—owned personally by each of us and enacted both personally and collectively through administrative decisions made in consultation with People with Disabilities.
These core values are fundamental to building vibrant communities and should be responsibly and ethically woven into every stage—from planning to implementation as well as ongoing improvements. Every decision should actively and intentionally incorporate them, ensuring they are never neglected or treated as an afterthought.
Treating accessibility for People with Disabilities as an act of charity, done at our convenience and out of generosity, is a Grave Injustice (Learn Why).
Removing barriers to accessibility should be embraced as a service to humanity, guided by the principles of Unity in Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice.
Inclusion is the ongoing work of removing barriers that prevent equitable participation for People with Disabilities and other marginalized groups, ensuring a welcoming community by creating a sincere sense of belonging.
Our inclusion and accessibility accomplishments should recognize and respect the inherent and inestimable value of these otherwise marginalized people and groups, ensuring they are fully embraced as essential members of the community we are building—a community that belongs to all of us, equally and without exception.
“Inclusion means everything to me. It makes me feel like I’m part of the community.” -Trey Garrett, The inclusion movement in Utah
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“To shift attitudes and raise expectations, we must first recognize that blind individuals can live full, productive lives when given proper training and opportunities.” -Carlos R. Serván, Innovate to Elevate: Fostering Excellence in Rehabilitation Services for Blind Youth
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About Us
Welcome to The Shining Lamp
Show/Hide Description
Overview: The scene is a large, bright Bahá'í Community Center with wood beams, plants, rugs, and warm lighting. A diverse group of people represented by different races, ages and disabilities gather across several connected areas joined by a wide, open floor space.
Central wall: A framed quotation reads: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." It is attributed to Bahá'u'lláh. Below it hangs a large nine pointed wooden star with a mirror at its center where you could see yourself reflected.
Discussion circle (foreground): About nine adults and a couple of youth sit in a circle of chairs around a low wooden table. An smiling Black woman using a manual wheelchair leads the conversation while a standing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter signs beside her. A chair in the circle is open welcoming you to join in. A stack of books on the table includes The Hidden Words, Some Answered Questions, and Bahá'í Prayers.
Entrance (left): People arrive through tall glass doors and warmly greet each other. A Blind woman with a white cane shares a warm friendly hug with a Black man, others shake hands and smile and talk, and a young girl excitedly runs inside toward the children's area.
Serving and dining area (rear left): A young white woman serves food to a Black man across a wood counter. Farther back, a diverse group of people eat and talk together at a large long community table.
Children's area (right): Children of different ages and races work together at a round table building a detailed model of a community. They are guided by an older woman with grey hair.
This space is about building community.
Imagine a community that fosters a genuine sense of belonging
Where a diverse membership is warmly embraced. Where people of different Races, Disabilities, Ages, Genders, and Cultures, otherwise marginalized, participate fully and inclusively in all of their community's activities and events. Where children find the encouragement to explore and grow, and older members share their wisdom and experience. Where each person is valued for who they are and have opportunities to contribute. Where the community exemplifies the concept of Unity in Diversity.
We strive to remove the barriers that prevent us from building Inclusive, Accessible Communities. We strive to follow the Baha'i Teachings and Best Practices for Inclusive Design, and to learn from the lived experience of marginalized people. These critical strategies belong in our community-building process from the start.
Imagine our community where People with Disabilities are consulted during planning
Where our programs and services are designed and planned ahead of time, guided by People with Disabilities who know where the barriers exist. Where our events are held in accessible places people can reach and enter. Where we provide captioning, American Sign Language interpreters, Assistive Listening Devices, and space for guide dogs. Where our activities and games are built to be inclusive from the outset. Where our materials come in Braille, audio, large print, or electronic format, and are provided in time to be used along with the planned activity. Where images carry meaningful descriptions, videos carry Audio Description, and our communications read as well with a Screen Reader or other Accessible Technology as they do on a phone or a desktop computer. Where nothing is left as a promise for later, because it is all accessible, welcoming and inclusive by design!
Imagine our community where generations meet and multiple cultures are integrated
Where we participate in an interactive presentation, or walk through an exhibition of histories and experiences unlike our own. Where encounters like these foster mutual respect, understanding, and unity. Where marginalized members among us give as well as receive, and find belonging, value, and purpose in that exchange. They build friendships and stronger bonds and remove barriers related to disability, race, culture, age, and class.
Sadly, for many marginalized people, this is not the community they live in.
People in marginalized groups face far greater barriers related to race, disability, gender, age, and culture. Those barriers stand between them and their community's programs, services, events, and materials. There are barriers to information and communications, life activities, and full and equitable participation. This is primarily due to a lack of adequate planning for inclusion and accessibility, and is often influenced by majority dynamics. Sadly, this leaves us with an unbalanced community, far from the one we imagined earlier.
A community needs balanced roles and equitable participation to thrive.
Inclusive communities are built by removing barriers, and by keeping balance among the three main protagonists: the Individual, the Community, and Institutions. Just as a stool with three legs needs balanced legs to hold itself up, a community needs balanced roles and equitable participation to thrive.
Abdul-Baha centered his work on Unity and Justice.
Abdul-Baha’s life gives us many examples and stories from his travels and engagements. He centered his work on Unity and Justice, and on the inclusion of historically marginalized populations. His focus on this work should guide our Reflection Gatherings and Community Building efforts. As Shoghi Effendi stated:
"If any discrimination is at all to be tolerated, it should be a discrimination not against, but rather in favour of the minority, be it racial or otherwise." -Shoghi Effendi
"For the bedrock of the Bahá’í administrative order is the principle of Unity in Diversity, which has been so strongly and so repeatedly emphasized in the writings of the Cause." -Shoghi Effendi
We strive to prioritize Race Unity, and to end every form of racism through willful anti-racism.
Removing barriers.
Show/Hide Description
Removing Barriers title displayed prominently atop a construction barricade. Subtitles positioned above the barrier indicate various aspects of barriers: Related to Race, Related to Gender, Related to Age, For People with Disabilities, and Related to Culture. Subtitles positioned below the community access barrier list specific areas affected: To Programs, Services, Events, Life Activities, Information and Communications, and Full and Equitable Participation.
Building an Age-Friendly community involves connecting us across ages, through integrated intergenerational activities. It also involves standing with the champions of Age-Friendly programs, services, and inclusive events.
Removing barriers for People with Disabilities means planning ahead and ensuring that all Programs, Services, Events, and Materials are Inclusive and Accessible. It also means ongoing consultation with those who best understand the barriers they face.
Without that planning and consultation, our community remains divided into factions of "haves" and "have nots," perpetuating inequality and undermining unity, justice, and inclusion. Reflecting on Abdul-Baha's teachings, we share the responsibility to uplift all marginalized members of our community and to actively create a default environment of equity, inclusion, and genuine belonging.
“Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators — it’s about attitudes, policies, and systemic change.” -Tiffany Yu, I was nine when I learned what ableism is
So what can we do specifically to remove barriers?
How can we learn about and remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities?
Let's find out together!
Raise awareness about accessibility
Access to information and the internet is a human right. Explore International Accessibility Standards, and watch and share videos to help make online content accessible. Advocate to remove barriers and build Diverse, Vibrant, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Accessibility: Essential for Some, Useful for All
Learn and Use the International Accessibility Standards
WCAG—the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines—defines a universal international standard for accessible digital content. Free, online, self-paced training helps you understand and apply these standards to your emails, videos, newsletters, websites, apps, and other digital materials. Developed through a comprehensive, inclusive process, these standards help you remove barriers to information and participation.
Plan and Host Accessible Events
Learn how to plan welcoming, inclusive, accessible gatherings by addressing accessibility at every stage, from invitations and registration to venues, presentations, and activities. This guide outlines practical steps for removing barriers, providing accessible materials and communication, keeping participants’ requests confidential, and confirming that requested arrangements are in place. Planning ahead and following through creates a culture of respect, belonging, and equatable participation for People with Disabilities.
Change our Mindset from the Medical Model to the Social Model of Disability
Learning about the Medical and Social Models of Disability shifts our focus from “fixing” people to removing barriers that prevent their participation. The article explains how inaccessible buildings, forms, and services, alongside negative attitudes and stereotypes, create barriers that society shares responsibility for addressing. Adopting the Social Model supports the independence, dignity, and equatable participation of People with Disabilities and builds vibrant, inclusive, accessible communities.
Use ALT Text and Descriptive Images
Boost your image accessibility - learn how to write meaningful ALT text. Learn to tell the difference between simply identifying what's present in the image and offering a clear and concise description of it.
Write Inclusive Accessible Email Messages
Effective communication is crucial in creating diverse, inclusive communities, and email messages are a common tool used for sharing information. If messages aren't inclusive and accessible, they can stifle and harm community building by creating a sense of "otherness" instead of belonging. It is essential to remove these barriers and create truly diverse, vibrant, and inclusive communities.
Learn about and Use Audio Description in Video for Blind and Low Vision Accessibility
Audio Description gives Blind and Low Vision viewers the visual information in a video, as captions give Deaf and Hard of Hearing viewers the spoken content. This article explains what Audio Description is, where to find described films and series, how to check and ask for it when you show video, and how to plan it when you make your own, with questions for Community Builders to examine their own practice.
Fix the Unusable Flaws of Print with Online PDF for Accessibility and Inclusive Design.
Print and PDF lock in the layout when the publisher saves the file, which leaves Blind People, People with Low Vision, older readers, and readers on phones unable to adjust it. This article sets out what the Nielsen Norman Group, the W3C accessibility standards, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and large studies of PDFs show, answers the common defenses of print and PDF, and calls Community Builders to publish an adjustable web page first, consult People with Disabilities, and share the responsibility for access. It closes with eight questions for a reflection gathering.
Make Materials Accessible to Your Blind Friends.
Include blind friends in meetings by providing accessible formats like braille, audio, large print, or electronic copies. Check privately for their preferred format which can be obtained easily through a certified transcriber, enabling full participation.
Take Advantage of our Resources
Remove barriers and unlock the full potential of the Shining Lamp Collection of Resources!
Stay informed with our Articles
Discover a world of illuminating insights, understanding and effective ways to take action with the Shining Lamp's online collection of articles.
Keep up to date with What's New!
Stay up-to-date with the latest and most intriguing content on the Shining Lamp website. Explore a variety of captivating articles, videos, and resources that will keep you informed and ready and able to remove barriers. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover something new and exciting every time you visit the site.
“We’re more than just our disability or diagnosis. We’re real people, and we deserve to be listened to.” -Kale Vine, Former Nurse Says Becoming Disabled Opened Her Eyes to How Often Patients Feel Dismissed
Be an Upholder and Defender of the Victims of Oppression
Take action to remove barriers that prevent us from building inclusive and just communities. Establish equitable relationships among individuals, communities, and institutions of society that uplift all and reject the idea of "othering." Uphold and defend the rights of those who suffer from oppression and be a beacon of hope and compassion.
Remove Barriers
Show/Hide Description
Removing Barriers title displayed prominently atop a construction barricade. Subtitles positioned above the barrier indicate various aspects of barriers: Related to Race, Related to Gender, Related to Age, For People with Disabilities, and Related to Culture. Subtitles positioned below the community access barrier list specific areas affected: To Programs, Services, Events, Life Activities, Information and Communications, and Full and Equitable Participation.
Barriers keep people out of the life of their community: out of programs, services, and events, out of information and conversation, and out of full and equal participation. The barrier is in the environment, the plan, or the attitude, not in the person. Learn the seven most common barriers, why removing them is a matter of justice, who should lead the work, and ten specific steps you can take.
Unity in Diversity
A garden’s beauty comes from its variety. A community’s strength can, too—when people pushed to the margins have a place to belong and contribute. The Bahá’í principle of Unity in Diversity calls us to cherish differences and confront exclusion. Explore how justice, accessibility, and inclusive design can remove barriers for people with disabilities and other marginalized members, opening the way to full participation in community life.
The Baha'i Faith and People with Disabilities
More than 1 in 4 adults (28.7 percent) in the United States have some type of disability. They are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends, and a part of the diversity of the human family. Every gathering, class, and conversation in our communities is an opportunity to welcome them, to learn from them, and to build together. Learn what barriers may be preventing full participation, consult together on the next steps, and take specific steps.
“[T]he reformation of social stereotypes and prejudices against the disabled requires education aimed at helping individuals to see the disabled as real people and to share in their triumphs.” -Bahá’í International Community, Human Rights and Disability, 6 August 1988
Currently Trending on the Shining Lamp:
“Disability inclusion isn’t an ‘add-on’ or a box to check; it’s a lens that makes our work more effective, compassionate and just.” -Meredith Englander Polsky, Disability inclusion is ‘outside our scope’? Think again
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