Addressing the Practicalities:

Creating Accessible Events

DisAbility Ministries Committeeof 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.

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.

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.”

Site Selection: ParkingConsider 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 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: RestroomsAccessible 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 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 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 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

Contact local interpreter registry or national registry (https://www.rid.org/acct-app/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.

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

Avoid incense, floral arrangements, petroleum-based/ 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

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” Use person-first language in

liturgies - see http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf - and avoid negative clichés like “wheelchair bound” or “suffers from____”

Planning Worship: Communion

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 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

Registration & Orientation

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

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 Braillehandouts on request ahead of time!

Low Vision Accommodations

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

Provide assisted listening deviceswith fresh batteries- test before issuing

Require all speakers to use microphones in large groups

Use cordless microphone for questionsand discussion, or have speaker repeat questions

Adaptations for Hearing Loss

Offer printed copy of program notes Have speaker stay at front of room,

with faceclearly 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.

Other Accommodations 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

Meals and Refreshments 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 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 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 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/downloadable-disability-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 InformationThis 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.orgUmdisability@gmail.com