Making Your Church Accessible
The Body of Christ cannot be complete until all people are accepted into their communities of faith. However, a welcome sign outside the church is not enough. The sign may say, "Welcome," but the steps may say, "You must be able to walk up stairs to enter." The advertisement in the newspaper may say, "All are welcome," but in reality you have to hear well and see well to participate fully. Before churches can become truly welcoming communities for persons with disabilities, church facilities, procedures, and the ways in which we communicate must be evaluated and made accessible.
These are some resources you can use to help you make your church one that is welcoming to all people.
- Accessibility Mini-Audit for Churches PDF (4pp, 37K)
- Local Independent Living Center
An Independent Living Center (ILC) is a non-residential, not-for-profit, community-based agency which provides core services of independent living – Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Information and Referral and Peer Counseling. ILCs began in the early 1970s as part of the Independent Living Movement, a rights movement for people with disabilities. The first ILC was created by university students as a response to the need for practical housing and personal assistance services needed to live in their communities. - Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC)
The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) is a national network of 10 regional DBTAC: ADA Centers that provide the most complete and experienced services for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, employers, government entities, and individuals with disabilities, as well as media and news reporters.
800.949.4232 V/TTY
Website: http://www.adata.org/ - Access Board
A federal agency committed to accessible design that provides technical assistance and training on accessible design.
Technical assistance: weekdays 10-5:30 EST (Wed 10-2)
202.272.0080(v) 202.272.0082(TTY) 202.272.0081(fax)
800.872.2253(v) 800.993.2822(TTY)
Website: www.access-board.gov - General Resources
Accessibility Information for Congregations PDF (1pp, 24K)
