How to Make Churches Handicap Accessible
- 1). Define the disabled population that you want to accommodate and develop a plan. The definition can be broad and include medical and mental health conditions, hearing loss, blindness and developmental delays.
- 2). Check the parking lot to ensure that it is even, has curb cuts and enough reserved parking spots for people with mobility impairments. Handicapped parking should be accessible and clearly marked with signs, with adjacent aisles at least 60 inches wide. If the church does not have a parking lot, work with your local municipality to ensure adequate street parking.
- 3). Build ramps, if needed, with railings at the entrances to the church to provide access for people with mobility impairments. A ramp that is too long and arduous may discourage people with disabilities from using the ramp. Add ramps to other inaccessible areas with stairs.
- 4). Add an elevator to transport people with walkers, strollers or in wheelchairs to multiple levels in the church, if the cost can be covered by the church’s budget. An elevator’s installation, operating and maintenance costs can be high.
- 5). Ensure that doors, doorways and hallways are wide enough to accommodate people in wheelchairs. Check doors and doorknobs to ensure that they are light enough for a physically disabled person to open and maneuver.
- 6). Set aside reserved seating for people with physical disabilities. Choose an area that is level rather than sloping to accommodate wheelchairs and has good sight lines to the platform. Another solution is a pew cut to create seating. (reference 1,p.22)
- 7). Revamp the worship platform to provide access like ramps for people with disabilities. Accessibility will enable handicapped people to participate in the service or sing in the choir. (reference 1,p.22)
- 8). Remodel or reconfigure the restroom location to become more accessible. Build a wide cubicle a minimum of 60” wide with grab bars and install higher toilets than standard toilets. Another alternative is to have a unisex accessible restroom in another location. (reference 1,p.24)
- 9). Upgrade the sound system to provide clearer sound quality for hard of hearing people. Offer assisted listening devices such as FM systems, audio induction loop systems, and infred systems. If deaf people require sign language interpreting services, contact a local or state service for the deaf. (reference 1,p.27)
- 10
Turn up the lighting to accommodates people with visual impairments. Provide written or audio materials such as worship music. (reference 1,p29)
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