DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 2004
Aim
“To provide a level playing field for able and disabled persons employing all reasonable measures.”
PART A
The following facilities are currently available at St. Mary’s
Church Hall
1] Disabled toilet, located in the SW corner of hall.
2] Hall is sited adjacent to church yard entrance.
3] Ramp access to main entrance of hall.
4] Main entrance to hall is Emergency Fire Exit with 900mm door.
Church building
5] Access to church yard and church building is free of steps.
6] Double door access to the church.
7] Portable ramp available for wheelchair access to Chancel.
St. Catherine Chapel & St. Nicholas Chapel.
8] A “Loop system” installed for persons with impaired hearing.
9] Large print “weekly newsletter” and “service books” available.
10] Communion is available to disabled persons either in wheelchairs at the Chancel steps or seated in the front row pews.
PART B
The following aspects have been considered and confirmed there are no solutions currently available.
Church Hall
1] The Parish Office is located on the 1st floor of the hall and the only access is via a staircase and therefore cannot be accessed by a wheelchair.
Church building
2] The Bell Ringing Chamber is located at the west end of the church with access via a spiral staircase and therefore cannot be accessed by a wheelchair.
PART C
The following action has been agreed
Church Hall
1] A bell/buzzer system for signalling the Parish Office from the ground floor is being investigated for implementation.
Church building
2] Lower the “raised wooden floor area” associated with the redevelopment of the NW corner of the church.
Churchwardens
November 2004