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A PDF file of the entire "Congregational Accessibility" document (9 pages) can be downloaded here for easier viewing and printing. The following survey form is intended to help your congregation assess its level of accessibility to persons with various disabilities, including mental illness, and provide ideas to increase your accessibility.
In this category, it is important to distinguish between three descriptive terms. • Hard of hearing – persons who have a hearing loss, but hear with a hearing aid or Assistive Listening Device, and/or sign language. • deaf (with a small “d”) – persons who have very little or no hearing and rely on printed or visual language materials and/or speech reading (“lip reading”), as their primary means of communication. • Deaf (with a capital “D”) – persons who use a distinct language, American Sign Language and identify themselves with a cultural group (North American Deaf Culture). They may have some hearing. Two separate symbols are possible in this category.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) address the issues for persons who are hard of hearing. Churches that display this symbol will meet criteria 1-3. Criteria 4-8 are highly recommended. In addition, most persons who are hard of hearing or deaf can read, so the visual aids under Vision Accessibility are also recommended. 1. ____ Sound System. A regularly used, clear audible sound system with at least one microphone. 2. ____ ALD. The sound system includes individual Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) for people who have a hearing loss. Ushers are educated on the location of Assistive Listening Devices and how to assist persons wishing to use them. Either 3 or 4 is acceptable for Hearing Accessibility 3. ____ Roving microphone. A roving microphone is available for sharing time, joys/concerns, etc, or when a roving microphone is not available, the pastor/worship leader summarizes over his/her microphone so that all can understand. The following are highly recommended. 4. ____ At least one hearing aid compatible telephone with a volume control 5. ____ Taped or paper copy of sermons/services. Worship services are made available on audio and/or videotape 6._____ Face lighting of speakers 7. ____ Closed captioning may be helpful as well as other visual language options. 8. ____ Eliminate background noise. Sign language interpretation is provided. Congregations meet the criteria for displaying this symbol by providing a qualified sign language interpreter in the sign system of persons who are deaf and already attend that congregation, or by providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation as an outreach to the Deaf community. Congregations meet the criteria for displaying this symbol by providing a qualified interpreter to assist with communication between deaf people and those who do not know sign language. Either Criteria 1 or 2 plus Criteria 3 are required and Criteria 4 and 5 are highly recommended. 1. ____ ASL. Interpretation in American Sign Language is provided. OR 2. ____ Other sign system. Interpretation is provided in the following signed English systems. AND #3 below Sign language interpretation is provided in the following contexts: 3. ____ Worship. Sign language interpretation is provided in at least one main weekly worship service. 4. ____ Classrooms. Sign language interpretation is provided in educational settings for persons who need it. 5. ____ Fellowship. Sign language interpretation is provided for informal fellowship. |
