Inclusion of People with Handicapping Conditions

Ideas for making your church more accessible

Following are some ideas to make your congregation welcoming to someone with a handicap:

• Have at least one clearly marked, wheelchair accessible entrance on every level of your building.
• Have large-print bulletins available and readily accessible to the ushers.
• Have hearing assistance devices, if available, readily accessible to the ushers.
• Have accessible lavatories on all floors.
• Be sensitive to specific needs in your congregation and be creative and flexible in addressing them.

Resources

Sight-impaired

• American Council of the Blind
• American Federation of the Blind
• Deaf-Blind Education Links
• National Federation of the Blind
• Washington Council of the Blind

Hearing-impaired

• Deaf-Blind Education Links
• ELCA Information on the Deaf
• National Association of the Deaf
• Virginia Association of the Deaf Links Page

Mental Illness

• Depression Central
• Internet Mental Health
• Mental Health Facts
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
• Pendulum
• Psych Central

Disabilities

• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Canine Companions National Web Site
• Disabilities + Possibilities TV Newsmagazine
• ELCA Information on Disabilities
• Interactive Guide to Learning Disabilities
• National Council on Disabilities

Empowerment Programs

• DO-IT

Other Information

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