How accessible is your parish?

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Who is included at your parish? What does a parish that includes all people look like?

Since the Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities in 1978, the church has stressed the importance of including all people. The Pastoral Statement begins: “The same Jesus who heard the cry for recognition from the disabled of Judea and Samaria two thousand years ago calls us, his followers, to embrace our responsibility to our own disabled brothers and sisters in the United States.”

More than 40 years later, how well has the church’s promise succeeded at the local parish level? Some Catholics might attend a parish that has striven to make its building ADA-compliant for people with mobility restrictions, from installing ramps at all entrances to equipping restrooms with grab bars and wheelchair-height sinks and hand dryers. Other parishes might also include ASL interpretation at all services or be sure to offer gluten-free communion hosts and social hour refreshments for parishioners with dietary restrictions.

How accessible is your parish? U.S. Catholic wants to know.

Email *

1. I and/or a member of my family has a disability that requires special needs for attending Mass or church events.

Yes

Clear selection

2. I and/or my family feel included at our parish.

Yes

Clear selection

3. My parish building is equipped with the following features to make it accessible for all:

Ramps that lead to the building

Bulletin boards that are at a height accessible to people with wheelchairs

Accessible parish hall or basement

Accessible parking

Accessible restrooms

Other:

4. My parish offers the following features to make liturgy accessible to all:

Several places for wheelchairs so that people can choose where to sit

Wide aisle so that wheelchairs can pass

An assisted listening system

Braille and/or large print hymnals and missalettes

Allowing service animals

A choir area that is accessible for people in wheelchairs or other mobility needs

Other:

5. There are parts of my church building that are not accessible to everyone.

Yes

Clear selection

6. My parish offers ASL interpretation during services and events.

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

7. My parish offers gluten-free hosts so that those with dietary restrictions can take part in the Eucharist.

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

8. My parish has surveyed its members to determine the accessibility needs of the congregation.

Yes

Clear selection

9. My parish has a disabilities advocate.

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

10. My parish has a committee or task force that meets regularly about accessibility and inclusion.

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

11. I have heard accessibility discussed at a parish meeting or event.

Yes

Clear selection

12. I have heard accessibility discussed in a sermon or during liturgy at my parish.

Yes

Clear selection

13. There is at least one person with a disability who serves in a leadership or ministry role at my parish.

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

14. My parish has people with disabilities who participate in the following roles:

Greeter/usher

Lector

Cantor

Choir member

Priest

Altar server

Catechist

Board member

None of the above

Other:

15. My parish offers ministries for children and families with special needs.

Yes

I don't know

Clear selection

16. My parish should be more accessible for people with special needs than it is now.

Agree

Disagree

Clear selection

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