CHURCH BUILDING AND PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

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CHURCH BUILDING AND PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

Adventist Possibility Ministries

Accessibility and Belonging Questionnaire

This questionnaire is designed to assist church leaders in making their church more receptive to those who live with a disability or those who have experienced a loss such as the widowed and orphans. Each member and visitor should not only feel accepted but also have a sense of belonging. Attitudes and the physical building itself can help convey a message of inclusion. Feel free to add other questions that pertain to building inclusion for all.

There are four parts to the questionnaire and each addresses different ways needed to help a person with a disability or a personal loss feel like they belong. They are:

Attitudes and Values
Communication
Inclusive Leadership
The Physical Structure

The questionnaire is meant to be an educational tool and a practical aid in communicating acceptance to all who attend the church. The Adventist Possibility Ministries (APM) Leader of the local church may wish to give the entire questionnaire to church members at one time or over a period of time. Secondly, they may wish to give the different parts of the questionnaire to different groups within the church and then have a summary report presented by a representative of each group to the full church. In most cases, change takes time but what a difference it can make for some members and visitors. By becoming aware of needed changes a plan can be developed to help bring a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Being aware that some church buildings are old, a rented space or even listed, it may not be possible to implement everything. The completed form helps us signpost to accessible churches and is not meant to single out any church or serve as a competition.

“I saw that it is in the providence of God that widows and orphans, the blind, the deaf, the lame, and persons afflicted in a variety of ways, have been placed in close Christian relationship to His church; it is to prove His people and develop their true character. Angels of God are watching to see how we treat these persons who need our sympathy, love, and disinterested benevolence. This is God’s test of our character. If we have the true religion of the Bible, we shall feel that a debt of love, kindness, and interest is due to Christ in behalf of His brethren; and we can do no less than to show our gratitude for His immeasurable love to us while we were sinners unworthy of His grace, by having a deep interest and unselfish love for those who are our brethren, and who are less fortunate than ourselves.”—Testimonies for the Church 3:511.

Email *

Part I: Attitudes and Values for Accessibility and Belonging

Attitudes are often the biggest barriers faced by people with disabilities and loss. Education, awareness, and training are crucial.

Are persons with disabilities and loss participating in this evaluation? *

Not at all

Definitely

Are the members aware that a person’s value is inherent through Creation and is not determined by what the person can or cannot do?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are your church members aware of the free online course (https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com) that explains why the ministry is called “Adventist Possibility Ministries (APM)?”
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do your church members know how to access the Adventist Learning Community APM online course (https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are your church members aware that one in five persons lives with a disability and one in four persons experiences a mental health concern over a lifetime?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do the leaders of the church understand the meaning of the “3-A strategy” (Awareness, Acceptance, Action) and how it assists in building a ministry of inclusion?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Does the church offer regular educational opportunities for members through newsletters, information sessions, sermons, and small group discussions aimed at awareness of the breadth of disabilities and loss?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are members willing to thoughtfully include those with disabilities and loss in leadership, boards and committees, study, worship services, and recreational activities?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do members acknowledge that having a sense of belonging is more than having ramps and parking places?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are ushers, greeters, church staff, and others sensitive to the needs of belonging of persons who have suffered a loss or of those with disabilities?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are there individuals or groups of individuals who likely feel excluded or not accepted because of their disability or personal loss?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Part II: Communicating a Sense of Belonging

Learning how to communicate with all members and visitors is an important step toward developing an inclusive church. The special needs of the Deaf, the blind, and those who are not able to attend in person should be considered if a sense of belonging is to be realized. Church planning should include the participation of all persons including those with disabilities, those who have experienced loss, and those serving as caregivers.

Public information: If your church has a website or social media page, offer directions and location information in as many ways as possible. Please include information about public transport, where this is realistic, and also instructions about where to park. Information about what provisions are made for accessibility must be easy to obtain as disabled church members and visitors need this information beforehand, rather than having to work it out when they arrive.

Does our church intentionally communicate its accessibility features to members and visitors (online, in bulletins, through greeters, or other methods of communication)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are the levels of accessibility clearly outlined on the church website and other social media platforms?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is the safeguarding information available on church website and clearly visible at the information board?

Not at all

Definitely

Please provide a link to the website of your church(es) and social media pages. *

Are recordings of services and other events available?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there directional signage that is in large print and braille (rooms labels)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Does your church have a means to contact church members with disability or their caregivers in case of emergency (directory, texting system, emergency alert)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do ushers, deacons, deaconesses, and greeters know how to relate with and assist those with special needs (for example, assisting those with canes, crutches, and wheelchairs)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are volunteers available to read bulletins, lyrics, and Bibles if requested by those with a disability?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are caregivers of children, spouses, parents, and those with disabilities given the needed support to feel like they belong (for example, given an opportunity to express their opinions and needs, included in events of the church, etc.)
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are images of people with various abilities included in print and media announcements?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Special educational needs and disability (SEND):

There are many ways in which we can make our worship and church life more welcoming and inclusive for people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

Are classrooms designed for children with special needs? (for example, pastel coloured walls, minimum images/distractions, comfortable lighting (warmer), pillows, bean bags, and sensory toys)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Does the church provide a separate quiet (sensory) space for children with autism?

Not at all

Definitely

Is the church using drama, pictures and simple language in worship?

Not at all

Definitely

Is the church providing a summary of the main points of talks or sermons?

Not at all

Definitely

Is a suitable person or small team ready to befriend individuals with learning disabilities to make sure they understand what is going on?

Not at all

Definitely

Are church members made aware to be welcoming an accepting towards certain behaviours?

Not at all

Definitely

Deaf, deaf, and hearing impaired:

The word deaf is used to describe or identify anyone who has a severe hearing problem. Sometimes it is used to refer to people who are severely hard of hearing too.

Deaf with a capital D refers to people who have been deaf all their lives, or since before they started to learn to talk. They are pre-lingually deaf. It is an important distinction, because Deaf people tend to communicate in sign language as their first language. For most Deaf people English is a second language, and understanding complicated messages in English can be a problem.

Are volunteer sign language interpreters from your church community available for Sabbath worship and Sabbath school for Deaf members and visitors?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do the hearing church members make an effort to communicate in sign language (any level)?

Not at all

Definitely

Are children learning basic signs as part of their Sabbath school curriculum?

Not at all

Definitely

Are Deaf church members and visitors included in church activities (potlucks, afternoon programmes etc.)?

Not at all

Definitely

Has the church installed clearly visible (i.e. blinking) fire alarm systems for the Deaf church members and visitors?

Not at all

Definitely

Are pastors and visiting pastors and preachers made aware of Deaf members and visitors beforehand so the sermon can be adapted and the text made available beforehand to the BSL interpreter?

Not at all

Definitely

Are Deaf church members and visitors made aware of NEC events and workshops which offer BSL interpretation?

Not at all

Definitely

Has church leadership made plans to arrange for assistive listening devices, British sign language (BSL) interpreters, and captioning for media presentations when needed?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Part III: Inclusive Leadership

All lasting change starts with the leaders. They first need to exemplify an understanding and acceptance of the needs of people with disabilities, caregivers, vulnerable children, and those who have experienced loss of a spouse. The church’s communication can generate the feeling “I belong” and “the church has a place for me.”

Are disabled persons represented by active participation in the church board, team of elders, worship planning team, Sabbath school teachers (for children and adults), etc.?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Has your church elected an APM leader who serves on the church board and coordinates special activities and ministries?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Has a budget been provided for APM?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Has our church budgeted for providing interpretation for the Deaf?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Have the pastor and church board members taken the online Adventist Learning Community course for APM?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Have teachers, (Sabbath School, Pathfinders, etc.) received training for working with adults and children with disabilities?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Has the APM leader for your church been encouraged to take a course in mental health (i.e. Mental Health First Aid) and to share resources with the congregation?
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Not at all

Definitely

Are reasonable accommodations made when persons with disabilities are in any worship leadership capacity, i.e., choir members, readers, musicians?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Has the church staff received training in disability awareness?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are leadership opportunities extended to people with disabilities and members who are Deaf?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Part IV: Physical or Structural Accessibility

Actions speak louder than words. The aim is to fully assimilate all members by removing barriers and enabling all members to use their gifts in ministry. This section is an abbreviated list of options for enhancing physical accessibility. Remember to consult your local municipality laws and guidelines for accessibility.

Doors:

Can people with mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) get into your church without assistance (i.e., ramps, elevators, or level entryway)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are doors easily managed by a person with a disability?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are door thresholds easily managed by people with disabilities (recommended no more than ½ inch/1.25cm)?
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Not at all

Definitely

Do doors have lever-type hardware, panic bars, or automatic door openers?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do essential doors opens wide (recommended 32 inches/81 cm)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Ramps and Curb Cuts and Walkways:

Are walkways and curb cuts clearly marked?
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Not at all

Definitely

Do walkways and curb cuts have non-slip surfaces?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are walkways kept free of obstacles (secured carpet, no tripping hazards like unsecured cables)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are ramps sufficiently wide with handrails on at least one side (recommended 36”/91cm) extending one foot/30.5cm in length for every inch/1.25cm of rise with a 1:12 ratio)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there a level rest platform available for long ramps (recommended at least 5’/152cm long for every 30”/76cm of ramp rise and a 5’ x 5’/152 x 152 cm platform at changes of direction)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Parking:

Is accessible parking marked as reserved by the sign showing the accessible symbol or some other indicator?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are accessible spaces close to an accessible entrance?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is the parking level well-lit?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there clear, visible signage for access to walkways, ramps, and parking areas?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Stairs:

Are the edges of stairs and raised cracks in sidewalks’ edges painted with a contrasting color (often yellow) so people with low vision can see and be safe?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do the stairs have non-slip surfaces?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there good lighting for stairways?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are the steps equal in height and depth?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is the stairway sufficiently wide (recommended 44 inches/111cm) with handrails that are sufficiently secure, on both sides, and capable of supporting large adults (recommended at least 250 lbs./113 kg?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Do handrails on stairs extend the full length of the stairs?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Elevators and Lifts:

Is there a ramp, an elevator, or chair lift for access to the sanctuary and all major areas?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Can members with disabilities access the platform in the sanctuary?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are elevator/ chair lift controls easily reached from a seated position (recommended 54 inches (137cm) or less from the floor)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are braille plaques on elevator control panels?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Restrooms:

Is there at least one restroom on each floor that can be easily accessed by people with disabilities (for example, wide enough for a wheelchair to go in and out and still close the door for privacy)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Does the bathroom stall have hand sanitizer and waste basket inside?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are there lever-type faucet controls and hardware on the doors?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are soap and towel dispensers easily accessed from a seated position?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are ushers, deacons, deaconesses, and greeters familiar with special needs and willing to assist as needed (for example, managing doors, operating lifts, ensuring privacy)?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there a change table properly secured to the wall so that caregivers can assist their children with toileting?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there a changing facility for adults as well as babies?

Not at all

Definitely

Is a hoist available if needed?

Not at all

Definitely

Is there an emergency button inside the restroom which is clearly accessible from any position in case of emergency?

Not at all

Definitely

Worship Space and Classrooms:

Are wheelchair areas integrated throughout seating spaces rather than only the front, back or in aisle ways?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is seating space with extra leg room available for those with crutches, braces, walkers, etc.?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are the sanctuary, choir, and platform accessible to wheelchair users?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Is there adequate lighting in the sanctuary and other worship spaces?
*

Not at all

Definitely

Are ushers, deacons, deaconesses, and greeters familiar with special needs and willing to assist as needed (for example, assisting with canes, crutches, and wheelchairs)?
*

Not at all