Worldwide, 1 billion people or 15% of the population live with a disability. The United Methodist Church has taken steps toward making churches more accessible to those with disabilities.
The Book of Discipline outlines the responsibility of local church trustees to conduct an annual audit of their buildings, grounds and facilities to identify and address any barriers that impede the full participation of people with disabilities.
The Holston Conference is making disability audits a priority. There’s a team of volunteers to help churches perform audits, and grant money is available to help churches make facility improvements.
Read more about what the United Methodist Book of Discipline says about church accessibility audits, and what the Book of Resolutions says about United Methodists’ commitment to awareness of the needs of, and the gifts offered by members with disabilities.
The Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church represents U.S. jurisdictions and central conferences.
The Book of Discipline does not require that churches follow a specific set of guidelines for an accessibility audit. The Holston Conference provides an audit checklist and additional information that answers frequently asked questions about the audit process.
(video transcript below)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Steve Richardson: “Any step, whether it’s marked or not, you have to be careful about.”
St. Paul United Methodist Church is undergoing an accessibility audit.
Doorways and aisles are measured to make sure a wheelchair can pass. Restrooms are checked for things like clear signage and grab bars. In the case of this drinking fountain, suggestions are made to make the water source easier to use for someone in a wheelchair.
Aron Collins, St. Paul lay leader & building manager: “We think of children, and so we put stools. But we don’t think of someone in a wheelchair or something, who needs to sort of roll under and get in there. One simple solution to fix that that they said, was to have some of the like bathroom cups, and put in this position and that would make it a little more accessible.”
Steve: “Large-print Bibles, there’s large-print hymnals…”
Steve Richardson and his wife, Mary Ellis, conduct free, annual accessibility audits for churches, a process that takes about 2-4 hours.
The Rev. Elaine Ruth, St. Paul UMC: “It was really good just to be reminded of all the ways we can be more open and hospitable, but it was also a wonderful reminder that we’re already doing a lot to really welcome people.”
The audit form includes a checklist for things like ADA parking spaces, ramps and handrails for getting into and around the church building.
Steve Richardson: “Plenty of room there.”
Two of the five categories are a review of church communications systems and of the attitudes of church members towards individuals with disabilities.
Steve: “There is an item on the audit… Have you had a Disability Awareness Sunday each year? There’s even liturgy available.”
Following the audit, St. Paul plans to swap some shorter pews on the altar with some in the nave, to create space for a wheelchair. Here’s an example from Church Street UMC in Knoxville.
Some accommodations you can see, others are less obvious.
Steve: “Some types of invisible disabilities we don’t often think of … some people are super sensitive to fragrances. In some churches, they have fragrance-free zones in their sanctuaries.”
The Rev. Elaine Ruth: “On Easter Sunday, they had the whole pulpit surrounded with Easter lilies … We try to use unscented candles. There are people in the congregation who have latex sensitivities. So, we do not have latex balloons and things around at any kind of celebration.”
Leaders at St. Paul say the audit opened their eyes to new ways to become more welcoming, but it also opened their ears to be more in tune with the ongoing needs of their church community.
Aaron Collins: “Here at St. Paul, if someone asks for say a large-print bulletin, you better bet we’re going to go and print them a large-print bulletin. If we know that there is a need and we can accommodate that, absolutely! If you can’t get into the church to hear the message, to experience the fellowship and the community. You know, what are we here for? And we want people who are desiring that to be able to experience that.”
(end of video)
Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
