5 Ways Many Churches Are Not Accessible

Are churches today accessible? Many would say yes. It is common to have lifts, ramps, and accessible bathrooms. But is that all that is needed?

This is what you need to know: Accessibility is more than just getting people with mobility issues physically into the building.

Here are five ways that many churches (but not all) are not accessible:

1. There are aspects of the worship service that do not take into account sensory needs. There might be bright lights, loud music, or any number of other things that could be a struggle for some. It is hard to create the perfect environment but you can begin by fostering a community where people can share what they need.
2. There are images on the screen that are relevant to understanding the message that people who cannot or have difficulty to see may miss. I have done this numerous times. It is fine to use PowerPoint and other visual tools but do not assume everyone can see it.
3. People try to “fix” disabled people in the congregation. This may be by praying (unsolicited) for healing or pushing a miracle cure they found on the internet. Many disabled people are not trying to be fixed and unless they ask for that kind of help, keep your suggestions to yourself.
4. Disabled people are welcomed into the building but not embraced into the life of of the church. They may be excluded from the life of the church, being left on the margins. People may see them as a project to help but not as friends to be embraced.
5. Disabled people often lack access to leadership positions. They have so much to give but it is so often assumed that they are the ones to be ministered to and not the ones doing the ministering. Allow disabled people into the key leadership positions so that their voices can be heard clearly.

There are other areas in which accessibility is an issue but this is as good a list as any. Please do not assume that a lift or a ramp makes you fully accessible.

Those things are a great start but they are only the beginning. Invite disabled people to audit your church for accessibility and be prepared to listen to their advice.

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