Disabled Access to Church Buildings and Services - Practical Questions to Consider

Practical Questions to Consider

1. If there were a wedding in a church where the bride was a wheelchair user, the groom's mother blind and a number of guests had severe hearing loss or learning difficulties, would the facilities available meet their needs?
2. The following questions offer guidance:

Entrance Area

• Does the church have level/ramped access into worship and other areas including any halls?
• Is there an accessible reading/preaching area?
• Is there a separate wheelchair/disabled entrance, or a single entrance giving easy and dignified access for all?
• Area any glazed entrance doors clearly distinguishable from adjacent windows and do they incorporate permanent banding at eye level in another shade?
• Is there any transitional lighting between a bright outside and a dimmer interior? Sudden contrasts in lighting level can be disorientating.
• Is the entrance floor surface non-slip in all weathers?
• Is any entrance mat sunken in a well and close fitting?
• Is there a "Parking space" for wheelchairs in the main seating area?
• Is there a disabled driver space outside for dropping off and picking up?
• Is there a "ring for assistance" bell?
• Is there a telephone available for those who need to phone for a taxi or someone to collect them?
• Are staff (including churchwardens and parishioners involved in running special events) given training relevant to any adjustments that may need to be made?

Interior Areas

• Is there a well-defined system of signage and way-finding? Symbols can assist in drawing attention to special facilities and help those with learning difficulties.
• Is the means of escape suitable for independent use by disabled visitors?
• Is there 'milling around space' at the top or bottom of any change in level?
• Are door handles easy to grasp?
• Do stable seat backs aid standing? Is the communion rail stable?
• Are sight lines such that the action is visible to everyone?
• Is there a wide access lavatory? Every building should have at least one unisex wheelchair accessible lavatory. Are paper, towel and soap dispenser within reach whilst not an obstruction?
• Are there handrails by steps and in lavatory?
• Is there an induction loop system, fixed microphone, multiple/lapel microphone?
• Is the reading/preaching area well lit? Are the lights adequate for lip-reading?
• Are steps and hazards well lit?
• Is there flexible seating for meetings and small groups?
• Are there facilities for reproducing written minutes etc.?
• Are there large print hymn books, song sheets, service books and Bibles?
• Is there knowledge of where braille and moon copies can be obtained and facilities to enlarge printed material?
• Are there facilities to tape minutes of meetings/study notes?
• Is there ability to accept a dog (Guide dog, Hearing dog or Therapy dog)?
• Is there knowledge of who to contact should a visitor be profoundly deaf and requires a qualified sign language communicator, likewise if a deafblind visitor needs a qualified deafblind communicator?
• Is there adequate space for prams and buggies, and changing areas for babies?
• Is there clutter that people might fall over?

Exterior Areas

• Have paths a firm surface and sufficient width for wheelchairs?
• Are obstacles such as path edges, trees and seats clearly defined?
• Do any trees and bushes overhang? There should be no branches lower than 2.5m.
• Is there a contrasting colour on the edges of steps?
• Are the noticeboards well lit with service times in large print?
• Is there space outside which is under cover?