Earlier this year, a member of our church family had a stroke, and we are so thankful that he’s been able to return to church this summer. He now uses a power wheelchair, and over the last couple of weeks, we’ve noticed some accessibility challenges for him.

This week, we are addressing some of these issues as a staff, and I wanted to share the process with you. I hope it sparks some ideas for how you can enhance accessibility at your own church.

And if you're thinking, "We don’t currently have anyone in our congregation who uses a wheelchair," I encourage you to think ahead and consider making your church accessible before the need arises. I truly wish we had done this earlier. We want our church buildings to be welcoming spaces for all, and physical barriers should never stand in the way of someone coming. Even if there’s not a current need, it’s worth making changes for the future!

Here are some of the areas we’ve focused on:

1. Seating in the Sanctuary

Our sanctuary has movable chairs, which made it easier for us to designate accessible seating spots. I ordered two removable floor decals to mark these spots and was impressed with their quality. The decals arrived quickly (within 2 days), and I’m happy with their size so far. While I can’t speak to their long-term durability yet, they’ve held up well in the short term.

I carefully considered a few locations in the sanctuary to ensure there was enough space for a wheelchair to be maneuvered and enough room beside the wheelchair space for family members. I removed two regular chairs for each option to make sure the space would be wide enough. After taking pictures of four possible spots, I sent them to the member who uses the wheelchair for feedback. He chose the second option, and we’re set to get that decal placed before Sunday. We’re also adding a second spot on the opposite side of the sanctuary.

If your church has pews instead of chairs, it might take a little more creativity to find accessible seating options. I’m reminded of another church where they had half-sized pews, so that a wheelchair user could sit with their family—what a thoughtful and practical design!

2. Parking Lot Accessibility

When we discussed the seating arrangement with our member, he mentioned having trouble getting from the parking lot to the sidewalk. There wasn’t a ramp, and it was about a 4-inch step up to reach the walkway. He and his family had been parking in our side lot and then walking all the way around to the front of the church to enter through the main driveway—something we hadn’t even realized! 🤦‍♀️

To address this, our team did a walkthrough of the parking lots and discussed possible solutions. A few things we’ve identified:

Handicap Parking: We have a few designated handicap spots, but they lack proper signage. While the spaces are marked on the pavement, there are no signs in front of them. We’ve decided to order some reserved parking signs for better clarity.
Back Parking Lot: There’s a walkway in the back lot that’s accessible, but no designated parking spaces in that area. We’re considering adding a portable sign to reserve a space for accessible vehicles—this would be easy to set up on Sundays.
Ramp Installation: We’re also exploring affordable curb ramps for the sidewalk leading from our main parking lot. There are metal and rubber options available for under $100.

3. Entrance Accessibility & Bathroom Accessibility

We also checked our building’s entrances and, thankfully, the thresholds are accessible for wheelchairs. This is an important consideration, and I encourage you to take a look at your building’s doors to ensure they’re easy to navigate.

Additionally, our church has two handicap-accessible single restrooms on the main floor of the sanctuary. I checked the restroom doors to make sure they could open wide enough for a wheelchair, and I also moved a trashcan that was blocking the door. It was a quick fix but made a big difference!

4. The Importance of Listening and Engaging

Our congregation member was deeply appreciative that we reached out about these issues. I encourage you to take the time to connect with individuals in your church who may have accessibility concerns. A simple conversation can make a world of difference and let them know they’re seen and valued. Ask what’s difficult to navigate and listen attentively.

Accessibility at Your Church

As you think through accessibility at your church, don’t just focus on the sanctuary. Be sure to consider other spaces like Sunday School rooms, children’s ministry areas, and more. One helpful tool we used is a self-test from Ability Tree, which provides a checklist to help evaluate your church’s accessibility.

I hope this post gives you some practical tips for making your church more accessible for everyone. Let’s continue working together to create spaces of belonging for all people!