As the United States marks 25 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Alabama Baptist churches have made progress in increasing accessibility to persons with disabilities and their families.
“God’s house needs to be accessible to everyone, and I’m thankful that our churches have become more sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities in our congregations and communities,” said Mel Johnson, an associate in the office of global missions for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) who serves as a resource person for Alabama Baptist construction teams and project development.
In the past few years, Johnson has seen a tremendous effort on the part of churches to include accessibility in remodeling and construction projects. He has seen restrooms updated, wheelchair lifts installed and doors widened to allow easier access for walkers and wheelchairs. His office also regularly consults with churches considering building projects and helps them ensure their plans are completed with building codes and accessibility in mind.
“A lot of our churches are 50 or 60 years old or older, and they certainly weren’t built with these kinds of standards in mind,” Johnson said. “However, we have seen many churches with a deep desire to become more accessible, and in some instances, we’ve worked with churches who were not considering major renovations but decided to make those changes anyway to get up to code.”
Civil rights protections
When ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, the intention was to give disabled Americans the same civil rights protections afforded to women and minorities under the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Churches were exempted from regulations banning discrimination in employment and public accommodation. However, as attitudes about those with disabilities began to change and church members began to live longer, congregations increasingly came to see people with disabilities and their families as a ministry opportunity.
That’s certainly true at First Baptist Church, Prattville, in Autauga Baptist Association.
“We are a multigenerational church with five generations represented in our congregation,” said John Johnston, serve pastor at First, Prattville, who promotes ministry and missions opportunities within the church body. “We look at our facilities from the perspective of people of all ages, and we want to do what we can to provide for people to get in here.”
It is not just seniors and the physically disabled who benefit, Johnston said. Mobility issues can affect anyone of any age and an accessible church allows both the long- and short-term disabled feel more normal.
“It’s easier to feel like you are part of the life of the church if you aren’t continually hampered because there’s a set of steps here or a narrow door there,” Johnston said.
Often changes that enhance accessibility can be visually appealing as well.
Peggy Collum, a member of Hepsabah Baptist Church, Heflin, in Cleburne Baptist Association, said in a Facebook post, “[Recently] we put in new benches which are shorter, allowing for a wider aisle. The carpet was also removed in favor of hardwood floors. These changes are not only accommodating for those with disabilities, they are beautiful.”
Sometimes changes require flexibility on the part of the church, Johnston said, noting accessibility issues in the education building at First, Prattville, that sometimes necessitate changing room assignments.
Other times there are a few easy or inexpensive options to improve facilities. For example choir lofts are frequent problem areas. First, Prattville, made its choir loft accessible by extending the platform so people in wheelchairs can roll onto the area. Hepsabah Baptist’s choir loft is only accessible by steps.
Restrooms are often problematic as well, in part because renovating bathrooms can be very expensive, which is why Johnston said the human element is important.
“Having greeters available to help people get in the door, to open the door and to direct them to ramps and accessible restrooms makes a big difference,” he said. “Those human resources are necessary to help people who aren’t familiar with the campus navigate the facilities.”
Johnson encourages churches who are anticipating a building program to contact his office at SBOM and request printed resources or a consultation to help “steer them in the right direction.”
Time of reflection
The ADA anniversary also is an opportunity for churches to reflect on their commitment to accessibility, said Bill Gaventa, director of the Collaborative on Faith and Disability, a clearinghouse for ongoing projects, best practices, upcoming events and other resources addressing topics at the intersection of disability, spirituality and faith communities.
“The 25th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity for faith communities to celebrate the inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities while also identifying remaining barriers to full access,” Gaventa said.
Additional resources for churches from the Collaborative on Faith and Disability related to the 25th anniversary of ADA are available at the organization’s website, www.faithanddisability.org.
(BNG contributed)
For additional resources specifically designed for churches, contact Mel Johnson at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, 1-800-264-1225, ext. 389 or mjohnson@alsbom.org.
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Provisions for disabled persons
Though churches may not be required to follow the specifics of the Americans with Disabilities Act, state and local codes may apply. Churches also may voluntarily make changes to increase accessibility on their campuses. The following list from LifeWay Architecture provides some general considerations that can enhance the accessibility of any church’s facilities.
- Clearly posted accessible route maps (including location of all disability-accessible restrooms) at handicap parking areas and building entrances
- Extra-wide parking spaces
- Building entries with no steps or ramps with a slope of more than 1-inch vertical for each 12-inches horizontal
- Doorways that are a minimum of 36 inches wide
- Restroom dimensions that allow a minimum 5-foot turning radius for wheelchairs
- Walkways with a slope of no more than 1-inch vertical for each 20-inches horizontal
- Handrails at ramps or steps
- Grab bars in toilet stalls
- Wheelchair spaces distributed throughout the worship center
- Hearing assistance in worship center
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