1. New Life Church Accessibility Training
Version: May 2015
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2. Why Do We Have Accessibility Training?
New Life Christian Reformed Church established an Accessibility Policy to ensure we’re ministering with and to people with disabilities in a way that meets their needs.
Many of us as church participants and visitors have disabilities. As part of our church’s vision to “Know, See and Be Jesus”, we have the opportunity to be a blessing to, and be blessed by those around us with disabilities.

3. What do we mean by “Accessibility”?
“Accessibility” refers to:
the access to physical spaces,
providing devices, equipment and resources, and
providing service and programs,
to meet the particular needs of members of our community who have disabilities.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“the AODA”) is a law that requires organizations, including churches, to have an Accessibility Policy and to ensure volunteers and staff are trained.

4. What Is Covered in this Training?
Information about:
The accessibility resources within our church
Tips for how staff and volunteers should interact and communicate with people with disabilities
The church’s accessibility feedback process.

5. Who Needs to Take Accessibility Training at New Life?
You are requested to take this training if you are a:
Paid staff
Usher
Cadets or Gems counsellor
Welcome Center greeters
Children’s Worship or Kid’s Focus instructor
Women’s Life leader
Worship Committee member (not each worship leader or team member)
Clothing Closet greeter
Congregational Care Branch member
Youth leader
Council member
Discipleship Hour coordinator
Person in another ministry or “front line” role where you might interact with a person with a disability
Greeter
Healing Prayer Ministry member
Nursery volunteer
Property Committee member

6. Assistive Devices
An assistive device is a tool, technology or other mechanism that enables a person with a disability to do everyday tasks and activities, such as moving, communicating or lifting.
Personal assistive devices can include things like wheelchairs, hearing aids, white canes, or speech amplification devices.

7. Training in the Operation of Assistive Devices
As part of the regular delivery of this training, there will be hands-on demonstrations of some of the assistive devices and services offered by New Life Church.
Ushers, greeters and Welcome Center greeters in particular should know what assistive devices are available, and how to use them.
If you expect to use or show someone a certain assistive device, and you don’t receive training on the use of that device now, please follow up with the appropriate person identified in the tables below.

8. Physical Assistive Devices:
Person Responsible for Operation or Training
Elevator
Custodian
Door-opening button front door
Door-opening button back door
Hearing loop
Audio/Visual Team
Earphones for hearing loop
Digital projector for lyrics and liturgies
Large print hymnal

9. Property Features and Spaces:
Feature or Space
Person Responsible for Operation or Training
Accessible unisex washroom upstairs
Property Committee
Accessible unisex washroom downstairs
Ramp to front door
Access for wheelchairs and walkers to worship services, coffee fellowship, Clothing Closet, Collective Kitchen, office, class rooms, nursery.
Space for wheelchair amongst pews
Worship / Custodian
Open seating area in the auditorium and foyer for those needing open spaces for movement, or for those preferring more personal space.

10. Accessible Services: Service
Person Responsible for Operation or Training
/written response to inquiries
Admin. Secretary
Accessible access to office staff during office hours.
Office staff
Snow clearing to maintain access to building
Property Committee

11. Disruption of Service
We need to inform people when assistive devices are broken, or when services are not available.
If possible, notify the person responsible for the device or service that it is broken.
Also tell the church office if something is broken. They will ensure the process of notifying people will take place.
Notice of “disruption of service” will be delivered through the newsletter and the website, and if possible with a note on the device or system.
This notice will include the reason for the disruption, how long it will take to fix, and a description of alternatives if available.

12. General tips on interacting with people with disabilities (1)
Speak directly to the person with a disability, not to his or her support person or companion.
If you‘re not sure how to support or provide service to a person with a disability, ask “May I help you?”
Be aware of opportunities to be helpful or of service.
Avoid stereotypes and make no assumptions about what type of disability or disabilities a person has.

13. General tips on interacting with people with disabilities (2)
Be patient. People with some kinds of disabilities may take a little longer to understand or to respond. A good start is to listen carefully.
Don't touch assistive devices, including wheelchairs, without permission.
Don’t touch or speak to service animals – they are working and have to pay attention at all times. Service animals are welcome at New Life Church.

14. General tips on interacting with people with disabilities (3)
Respect people’s personal space. Don’t lean over a person or on his or her assistive device.
Let a person with a disability know about the church’s accessible features (e.g., automatic doors, accessible washrooms, etc.).
Don’t move items or equipment, such as canes and walkers, out of a person’s reach.

15. General tips on interacting with people with disabilities (4)
If you have permission to move a person in a wheelchair remember to:
Wait for and follow the person’s instructions.
Confirm that the person is ready to move.
Describe what you are going to do before you do it.
Try to avoid uneven ground and objects.
Don’t leave the person in an awkward, dangerous or undignified position such as facing a wall or in the path of opening doors.

16. Feedback
New Life’s Accessibility Team welcomes feedback, and is available to personally receive feedback.
The Accessibility Team is currently made up of:
Herman Vanderkooy (Congregational Care),
Person Y (Worship Committee), and
Jeanette Ensing (congregational member)
Accessibility Feedback Forms are available in the Welcome Centre, and from the Church Office.

17. Request for Additional Services
People with disabilities can request additional services from New Life to meet their needs.
There is a “Needs Assessment Questionnaire” to help facilitate the conversation about how to meet a person’s needs.
An Accessibility Team member is available to support you as you fill out the questionnaire.

18. More Training Resources
If you would like more information or training on accessibility opportunities and the AODA, you can search online for the following sites:
Guide to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07,
AODA Training for Churches – Christian Horizons,

19. End of Training Session
Thank you for taking the New Life Church Accessibility Training.
Please ensure you receive training on the operation of assistive devices that might be necessary for your role.
To document that you have taken this training, please be sure to sign the form before leaving, or notify an Accessibility Team member.
May we be blessed as we minister together!