ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES for UUCE Events

UUCE is a welcoming congregation, and as Unitarian Universalists, we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Of course, this means we want to plan our events to be as accessible to everyone as possible. To this end, the UUCE Accessibility Committee has compiled the list below as a help in planning events.

The first thing we recommend is that you consult one of our committee about arrangements for your event. We are eager to share our knowledge about accessibility needs, many of which we have experienced ourselves, and will accompany you on site visits, when needed. And if we don't have the answers you need, we will find them for you. 

For a venue other than UUCE, there are several things to consider:

Location

• Central and close to a bus stop
• Sufficient parking, with clearly marked, level, and well-paved disabled parking spaces
• Drop-off/pick-up area close to the building
• Barrier-free pathway from a bus stop and from disabled parking spaces to the building, i.e., without stairs, any abrupt change in height more than 1", or slippery or unstable ground
• Entryway at least 32" wide and the threshold no more than 3/4" high

Building Interior

• Facilities for childcare
• Doorways at least 32" wide and thresholds no more than ?"high
• Access aisles at least 36" wide, with spaces 5' in diameter or T-shaped to allow 180-degree turns by a wheelchair
• Bathrooms accessible for wheelchair users (toilet 17-19" high, 34" space under sink, horizontal grab bars on walls alongside and behind toilet)
• Signs posted to indicate locations for childcare, restrooms, and meeting rooms
• A good sound system with assistive listening devices
• No traffic noise from outside, or other background noise making it difficult to hear
• Ambient temperature comfortable and able to be controlled
• A microphone available for all speakers

Whether at an outside venue or at UUCE, the following will add to the accessibility of your event:

Planning and Set-up

• In notices publicizing the event, list a person to be contacted for childcare arrangements and for further information
• Have programs and other written materials available in large print and in Braille
• Have a greeter at the entryway to welcome and direct people to the meeting space and restrooms, and to help guide visually impaired people as well as any others who may need assistance
• If using tables for eating meals, set them up so the spaces surrounding them are at least 36" wide, to allow access by people using wheelchairs or walkers. If possible, have a wider central aisle to provide for a broader choice of tables and easier access.
• Keep at least 36" clear in all passageways, without extra chairs or other equipment stored there, obstructing traffic paths
• Designate someone to see that an aisle chair is removed (1) so a wheelchair user can park without obstructing the aisle, and (2) so that a person using a walker can sit with it next to them
• Have speakers positioned so that their faces are well lighted and easily seen by everyone in the room
• When food is being served buffet-style
• place the buffet table so that lines can form on both sides
• give people with mobility challenges the opportunity to go first (as a matter of routine, rather than special privilege)
• assign someone to keep lines moving at the buffet table and assist those who may need help serving themselves
• label ingredients of dishes for the benefit of people with food allergies or restricted diets

Don't forget to clean up and make sure everyone has left the building before you turn out the lights and lock up. And have a good time!!

Also:

• UUCE Accessibility Survey

• National Organization on Disability Guide to Accessible Meetings