Addressing the
Practicalities: Creating
Accessible Events
DisAbility Ministries Committee
of The United Methodist Church for Mission u
2012 Book of Discipline
Paragraph 716.2 Nondiscrimination Policies
“All agencies and institutions shall, insofar as
reasonably possible, schedule and hold all
events, including designated places of lodging
and meals for the events, in accessible settings
that adequately accommodate persons with
disabilities.
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2012 Book of Discipline, cont.
Paragraph 716.2 Nondiscrimination Policies
“If for any reason whatsoever any event is scheduled
or held in a facility that does not so conform, all
notices of the meeting will include plainly stated
advice to that effect, or alternatively
may bear a logo consisting of the
international symbol for access placed
inside a slashed circle.
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2012 Book of Discipline, cont.
Paragraph 716.2 Nondiscrimination Policies
“The term event shall be given a broad
interpretation and shall include, by way of
example, scheduled conferences, seminars, and
other meetings to which persons are invited or
called to attend as representatives of the Church
or its various institutions and agencies.”
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Site Selection: Parking
Consider parking accessibility
 Adequate number of accessible spaces:
8’ with 5’ (8’ for van) marked unloading aisle
 Minimal to no slope of
parking lot/sidewalk
 Curb ramps provided
 Close to accessible
entrance
Site Selection: Entrance
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Sign from parking to accessible entrance
Level or ramped entry point
Railing on any slope of 1/20 or more
Door Level 60” platform at door
 36” wide doorway
 Level threshold
 Easy to open – automatic preferred
Site Selection: Plenary Space
Worship/ Plenary space
 36” door and aisle width
 Level or ramped entrance
 Ramp to chancel or stage
 Pew cuts in multiple places if fixed seating
 Amplification system
 Assisted listening devices
available
Site selection: Restrooms
Accessible restrooms available including at least one
unisex/ family/ restroom (so caregiver of
opposite sex can assist):
 36” door width
 60” turning radius
 Toilet 17 ½ to 19 ½”
 Grab bars by toilet
 Accessible (open) sink
 Towels/ soap at 48”, mirror lower edge at 40”
Site Selection: Lodging
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Ground floor accessible rooms
Bed 20 – 24” maximum height
Space to maneuver – at least 36” between furniture
Lower closet rod and peep hole
Sink has lever handle, open front, padded pipes
High (17 – 19”) toilet with grab bars next to it
Roll in/step in shower with bench and grab bars
Hand-held shower
Publicity/ Brochure
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Use font like Arial 12 point and good color
contrast between paper and ink
List planned accommodations
Ask for specific accommodations needed
Provide contact information for accessibility
coordinator
Mention any site limitations
Ensure that website meets web accessibility
standards
Potential Accommodation Requests
In order to participate I need:
 Transportation, accessible parking
 Large print, digital, or Braille handouts
 Sign language (ASL) interpretation or captioning
 Assisted listening devices
 Assistance at mealtime
 Special diet
 Meals for an assistant who will travel with me
Planning
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Appoint an “accessibility coordinator” to
oversee planning and set up accommodations
Send or post map with location of accessible
parking and building entrances
Provide advance notice re:
 Limiting use of fragrances
 How to obtain wheelchair or scooter
Orient presenters to accessibility measures
Arrange for golf cart or van shuttle and drivers
Using Community Resources
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Contact local interpreter registry or national
registry (https://www.rid.org/acctapp/index.cfm?action=search.members) for
ASL interpreters
Find a CART provider to provide live
captioning at
https://ncra.org/Membership/content.
cfm?ItemNumber=9131&navItem
Number=11459
Using Community Resources, cont.
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Inquire at regional agency for visually impaired
for Braille transcribers, or check at
https://nfb.org/braille-transcription-resource-list
Arrange with durable medical equipment vendors
for scooter and wheelchair rentals
Check with para-transport and airport shuttle
companies to arrange vans with wheelchair lifts
If you have difficulty locating services, check with
local Independent Living Agency or campus
disability services
Chemical Sensitivity/ Allergies
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Avoid incense, floral arrangements, petroleumbased/ scented candles etc. or warn participants
about the use of such
Provide fragrance free zone if needed
Avoid rooms with new carpet, paint, furniture
Provide adequate ventilation in meeting rooms
Avoid chemical applications, e.g. floor wax,
pesticides, insecticides, close to time of meeting
Planning Worship: Liturgy
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Use inclusive phrases in worship such as
“Rise in body or spirit” instead of “stand as you
are able”
 “Let us be in prayer” instead of “bow your heads
for prayer”
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Use person-first language in liturgies - see
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PD
F/pfl-sh09.pdf - and avoid negative clichés like
“wheelchair bound” or “suffers from____”
Planning Worship: Communion
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Provide gluten free bread for communion – if
possible use this for all participants (see
http://fructosefreeme.com/2012/11/10/gluten
-free-rustic-artisan-bread/ for a great recipe)
If bread is dipped into grape juice, have a
separate chalice for dipping the gluten free bread
Anticipate serving people who cannot come
forward – have someone watching
Meeting Room Set-up
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Reserve front seating for persons with hearing
loss and low vision, but make sure you are not
isolating people
Plan for companion seating next to cutouts for
wheelchair users
Meeting Room Set-up
If tables are used ensure wheelchair clearance:
underside 27” minimum,
top side 28 – 34” maximum
height
 Reserve wheelchair seating
 Provide 36” access aisles
 Avoid floor-length table
skirts
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Registration & Orientation
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Post signs from parking to registration location
Station greeter at door to assist, direct people
Orient attendees to facilities, accessibility features,
and how to locate assistance, shuttle, etc. at all hours
Have chair and low table at registration
Have clipboard for lap, one-handed use
Have paper and pen for written communication
Be alert for additional needs
Low Vision Accommodations
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Provide good task lighting
Avoid glare, light behind speaker
Avoid tripping hazards, e.g. cords
Use good contrast on all media
Provide large print versions of
handouts, bulletins, song sheets, etc.
Provide digital, taped, or Braille
handouts on request ahead of time!
Low Vision Accommodations
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Orient to room layout, offer guide
Rehearse flow of service or event
Read aloud anything written on flip charts or
white board
Read and describe all material shown on slides
Give verbal description of visual aids & actions
Give verbal directions- don’t point
Offer volunteer “reader” for individual work
Adaptations for Hearing Loss
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Provide assisted listening devices
with fresh batteries- test before issuing
Require all speakers to use microphones in large
groups
Use cordless microphone for questions
and discussion, or have speaker repeat questions
Adaptations for Hearing Loss
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Offer printed copy of program notes
Have speaker stay at front of room, with face
clearly visible, well lit, for people who lip-read
Caption videos, slides, films, etc.
Provide live captioning if requested
Offer note-taking assistance
Prepare printed agenda for meetings
Adaptations for Deaf Persons
Schedule ASL interpreters, if requested,
for plenary, meeting, and social times
 Have lighting on speaker and interpreter- avoid
back lighting
 Speak at a moderate pace
 Provide interpreters with an outline in advance;
spell unfamiliar or technical terms
 Interpret DVD’s, songs, films, drama, etc.
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Other Accommodations
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Accessible water fountain or paper cup
dispenser
Water bowls for service animals
Seating on long hallways and
at loading/waiting areas
Low (48”) coat rack or hooks
Chairs of different sizes and
heights with and without armrests
Meals and Refreshments
Provide flexible straws, sturdy cups for
beverages
 Provide assist with buffet line as needed
 Offer a variety of foods of equivalent interest
for all meals, breaks, and socials, including:
 Low sugar/ carb
 Low salt
 Low fat
 Gluten-free
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Meals and Refreshments
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Label foods as needed for allergies; common
allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, soy, dairy,
shellfish, eggs, wheat, and fish
Label foods for other dietary needs as well,
including vegetarian, vegan
Provide the recipe as a positive approach
Program Evaluation
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Keep notes on the accommodations made and
successes or difficulties
Take notes of issues during session
Try to correct problems as you go, and make
plans to avoid the issues next time
As part of session evaluation, ask for feedback
as to how well people were able to participate
Credits: Photos taken at
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Assembly 2014, Louisville, KY
Crown Hill United Methodist Church, Seattle, PNW
Lakewood United Methodist Church, Tacoma, PNW
Manito United Methodist Church, Spokane, PNW
Moran United Methodist Church, Spokane, PNW
United Methodist Congress of the Deaf (UMCD) 2001
Conference, Los Altos, CalNev
University United Methodist Church, Irvine, CalPac
Vashon United Methodist Church, PNW
Credits
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Accessibility Audit for Churches, 2nd Edition, Kathy Reeves, ed.
(1994: GBGM)
Signs of Solidarity (GBGM, out of print)
Breaking the Sound Barrier in Your Church:
http://www.umcdhm.org/3000.html#02
Cover graphics from The Church and People with Disabilities, Peggy
A. Johnson (2014: United Methodist Women)
Graphic Artists Guild (access symbols)
https://graphicartistsguild.org/tools_resources/downloadabledisability-access-symbols
New accessibility icon from The Accessible Icon Project:
http://www.accessibleicon.org/
Resources
“Equal Access Guide for Meetings, Conferences, Large
Assemblies, and Worship” (includes overnight events):
http://www.ncccusa.org/elmc/disabilitiesmanual.html
Accessibility Audits:
http://www.umdisabilityministries.org/access/audit.html
Presentation Accessibility:
http://www.aucd.org/conference/index.cfm/presentation
-details--accessibility2011
For More Information
This presentation compiled for Mission u and United
Methodist Women by Lynn Swedberg, MS, OTR/L,
Disability Consultant, on behalf of the DisAbility
Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church
For more information consult:
www.UMDisability.org
[email protected]