Creating an Accessible Church

Breaking down the barriers to create a place for all to worship

The church building is a tool for ministry. Since the church's ministry objectives are to be a major positive focus in the community, it is then desired that the building be accessible to all. It is the responsibility of the congregation to evaluate the building and "break down the barriers" that would hinder all people to join in worship.

Many of the "barriers" can be minimized or totally removed with minimal financial impact to the church. The following list is only a sample of the adaptations your church can do in creating a barrier free worship facility.

Note: It is recommended that a design professional be commissioned to perform an overall review of the church facility. The appropriate design professional, equipped with specific training and code information, can be a valuable asset to the church in "breaking down the barriers".

Note: Any remodeling, alteration or construction to the church building should be addressed with the local building department. It is not recommended (actually it is illegal) nor is it a good display of Christian integrity if the church project is "boot-legged" without proper permits and authorization.

• Doors:

  1. Provide lever type door handles on all doors not equipped with a push bar type panic device.
  2. Provide self closing hinges or closure on all doors.
  3. Note: A pull handle can be installed on the hinge side of the door to aid a person in a wheelchair in closing the door.

• Stairs:

  

  1. Handrails to be 34"-36" above stair tread nosing and should be installed on both sides of the stair. The handrails should be designed with a griping surface of 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" diameter and should be installed at least 1 1/2" from the wall face. Rails to extend a minimum 24" beyond the bottom step and 12" beyond the top step. Handrails to be returned to the wall or post.
  2. Provide smooth transition at stair nosing, no trip edges.
  3. Provide a non-slip surface on all stair treads.

• Ramps:

  1. Interior ramps to slope a maximum of 1 foot high for every 12 feet in length.
  2. The minimum recommended width is 5'-0".
  3. Provide handrails 34" -36" above ramp surface on each side of the ramp. Handrails to be designed similar to stair handrails as defined above.

• Signs:

1. In order to allow for a user-friendly facility signs should be installed. These signs should inform the building user of the following functions and room usage: Men's and Women's Restrooms (including those with handicapped accessibility), handicapped entries and exits, handicapped ramp locations, telephone location, .....
2. In addition to providing international pictorial symbols on each sign, the signs should be equipped with Braille notification for the sight impaired.

• Restroom Facilities:

  

  1. Remember to provide adequate areas for wheelchair maneuvering. A 5'-0" diameter circle is the recommended clear area.
  2. Provide 1 1/2" diameter grab bars at all locations where the disabled person needs to maneuver off of his/her wheelchair. Grab bars should be able to support 300 lbs and shall be mounted to allow for a minimum 1 1/2" clearance from the wall. Grab bars at handicapped accessible toilets to be mounted 32"-34" above the floor. The back grab bar to be a minimum 36" in length and centered with the toilet. The side grab bar to be minimum 42" in length and mounted so that the front of the grab bar is a minimum distance of 54" away from the rear wall.
  3. Provide wall hung sinks (or allowing for clear floor area under sink) that have lever style faucets. Sinks to allow for a minimum 29" clear height under sink and the top should be no higher than 34" above the floor. Note: Remember to provide pipe insulation or protection to avoid the knees of a person in a wheelchair making contact with exposed under the sink hot pipes and drains.
  4. Typically a restroom that has more than one toilet stall can be adapted to meet the handicapped requirements by eliminating one toilet stall and including that area as an addition to the remaining toilet stall, thus creating a handicapped accessible toilet stall with required clearances.

Note: State and local codes may require different minimum standards. It is up to the church to inform themselves of the applicable codes prior to adapting their facility.

Church Planning and Design

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