St Mary’s Church and St Mary’s Community Centre

Accessibility Policy 

This policy sets out the Parochial Church Council’s (PCC) commitment to the mission statement ‘All are welcome and nurtured in their journey with Christ’.

We are required in law to respond to the subject of disability and this has a bearing on our parish as a service provider and employer. As such the Equality Act (2010) states that the parish must take reasonable steps to ensure that our policies, practices and procedures enable people with disabilities (lay and ordained) to enjoy and fully participate in all aspects of parish life and work.

Disability includes, but is not limited to learning difficulties, hearing and visual impairment, reduced mobility and neurodiversity.

When considering accessibility, we include the needs of those who may not consider themselves disabled but who have accessibility needs which may be temporary (eg. due to injury) or intermittent (a chronic condition which flares up occasionally).

Aims of this policy

To ensure that, as far as possible, no one is excluded from participation in church worship or other activities due to physical or non-physical disability.

General

• The church adopts a positive attitude to the inclusion of all as equals.

Governance

• The PCC has ultimate responsibility for ensuring this policy is managed and implemented in accordance with the aims of the policy.
• Accessibility will be included on the agenda at PCC and other meetings.
• The appointed Accessibility Officer will manage the process on a day-to-day basis, and will report back to the PCC.
• The Compliance team will ensure that the policy is reviewed annually.

Church

• Annual Parochial Church Meetings(APCM) and regular PCC and committee meetings are held in accessible locations.
• Online meetings are offered as an alternative where possible to assist accessibility to all.

• Wheelchair and pushchair access to the main door of the building via the footpath that leads from Selby Road, via the lychgate (when open for services), via Colton Road, and from the church car park area.  
• Designated area in the North West Corner to provide level access for wheelchairs and space for carers/friends to sit alongside – planned to be in place Spring/Summer 2025.
• Hearing loop installed. All speakers (president, deacon, readers, intercessors) use microphones as a matter of course.
• Live Streaming of main Sunday 10 am Sung Eucharist service and Choral Evensong service for those who cannot attend church in person.
• A home communion team takes communion to the housebound.
• Large print orders of service are available at all services.
• Online access to order of service, which are also available in large-print and dyslexia-friendly versions.
• Access to a wheelchair (which is stored in the base of the tower) for use as necessary.  The PCC is responsible for wheelchair maintenance.
• The congregation is advised in advance of which services will involve the use of incense.
• Communion is taken to the seats of any congregation members unable to come to the altar.
• Orders of service clearly explain that communion in one kind is acceptable.  Intinction is not allowed.
• Gluten-free hosts are always available.

Community Centre

• Wheelchair and pushchair access to the main door of the Community Centre.
• Accessible toilet facilities provided in two separate cubicles.
• Stoma friendly toilet facility - shelf and hooks in accessible toilets.
• Free sanitary products provided for Community Centre users.

• Same level access throughout the building to toilets, kitchen and bar area.

• Hearing loop installed (works via the sound/microphone system).

Areas around Church and Community Centre

• Disabled parking spaces.
• Mobility Scooter parking space.
• Footpaths which are wide enough and same level for wheelchair and pushchair access.
• Outside lighting.

Access Audit

All church buildings are subject to an accessibility audit which is reviewed annually.