Accessible Congregations

Congregational Accessibility Survey

Meeting ADA Standards and More

Evaluate Your Congregation’s Accessibility

Assess your congregation’s physical and attitudinal accessibility within five realms of disability. Receive an Accessibility Seal reflecting each type of accommodations you provide, along with personalized suggestions and support to meet additional requirements.

Print Survey Submit Survey

an old stone building with a ramp leading to its entrance and an accessible parking sign.

Procedure

Accessibility Survey Process:

Print a copy of the Congregational Accessibility Survey. Use the printed survey to walk through your church building and note your responses.
Fill out the Congregational Accessibility Survey online.
ADN reviews your completed survey. We send you an Accessibility Report noting areas of excellence and needed improvement.
ADN sends you a personalized Accessibility Seal for your website and a letter outlining steps required to qualify for more emblems.
ADN remains in contact with you, providing support, suggestions, and prioritization for next steps in accessibility and awareness.

Guidelines

Tips for Filling Out the Survey

Contact us with questions or if you would like an ADN consultant to help with this assessment process.
Thoughtfully include people with disabilities and their caregivers in the assessment process. Consider inviting them to help fill out the survey or holding a listening meeting in which they share their experience accessing the building and programs.
Communicate the results of the survey with your congregation during a worship service about disability awareness, a business meeting, or a special event celebrating the progress your congregation has made.

The Accessibility Seal

Each emblem on the Accessibility Seal reflects that a person living with that disability can experience full belonging in the congregation.

Mobility: a person in a wheelchair can navigate the parking lot, entrance, hallways, classrooms, and restrooms. Someone with a physical disability can participate in and lead worship.
Hearing: a person who is hard of hearing or deaf can participate in worship and faith formation through the use of Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) and other accommodations.
Sign Language: a person who is Deaf can participate in worship and faith formation through the use of a qualified interpreter.
Vision: a person with low vision or blindness can navigate the church building and fully participate in worship and faith formation through the use of screen readers, Braille or large-print materials, and other accommodations.
Support: pastors, leaders, and congregants regularly engage in trainings, workshops, and educational activities about disability topics; faith formation topics include disability awareness; and individuals with disabilities and their caregivers are considered valuable members of the community with gifts to share.