DISABILITY AWARENESS

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The Cedar Programme’s mission is to raise awareness and change attitudes of people to those with disabilities within the parish communities throughout the Diocese.

We facilitate the inclusion and participation of people of all different abilities in the life of the church. We promote understanding, awareness and respect of disability and ability within the parish community through education, to bring about a change in attitude, to see beyond the disability, to see the person. Cedar can assist parish communities in moving to a situation where the church is fully inclusive and more welcoming to people of all abilities.

How to Create Access- Mobility Impairment

Car Parking

Car parking spaces made available and clearly marked out, near the church for disabled drivers. An area with ample space whereby the disabled driver is safe, alighting from their car. Preferably away from the traffic and the bustle of parishioners coming to and from Mass

• Provide directional signs to designated parking bays and signs beside and on the
  surface of the bay, for clear designation.
• Route from car park to the church, parish centre and other buildings to be accessible.
• Keep routes free of fallen leaves, snow and ice.

Ramps/Handrails

• Ramps are essential to enable wheelchair users and people with pushchairs to overcome
  level changes, but should be accompanied by steps for ambulant disabled people.
  Ramps should be provided both externally and internally in the church and church buildings.
• Handrails should be fitted at all flights of steps; the handrails should be easily
  distinguishable from its background for the benefit of people with a visual impairment.

Circulation Routes

• All entrance and internal doors and access routes should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair user or a person with a walking aid the minimum width for a wheelchair user is 850mm a width of 1800mm will allow a wheelchair user to comfortably to pass another wheelchair user or someone using a walking aid.
• A choice of location for people with a disability. Wheelchair bays fully integrated with the
  seating in the church where people with a disability can sit with their friends and family.
• A shiny, slippy or wet surface can be a hazard to a person with a mobility aid such as
  a walking stick.
• Access to seating with ample leg space near the door for those who find it difficult to walk
• The availability of padded seating with armrests, back support and high kneelers; some parishioners with mobility impairments may require this facility.
• A level threshold to the aisle thus not having to step up into the pews or seats.
• The provision of pews in which the end seats are cantilevered i.e. that the first
  upright is always one seat in from the aisle.

Other Considerations

• Provide wheelchair accessible toilet facilities designed in accordance with Part M of
  the Building Regulations and ensure that it is fully fitted with the user requirements
  such as handrails.
• Signage in text and symbol form indicating that the church is accessible, has a loop
  system, an accessible toilet and any other facilities.

Hospitality Ministers

• Identify yourself by name and state your purpose and ask if the person needs assistance.
• Supervise the designated car parking bays.
• Ensure that the pathway from the car parking facility is kept clear of any obstacles.
• Ensure that the door at the accessible entrance is open.
• Ensure that there is a choice of location for the wheelchair user.
• Provide seats near the entrance for a person with mobility difficulties to minimise walking.
• Ensure that the accessible toilet is open and that the emergency button or cord is working properly.
• Emergency egress plan should be drawn up for all people with disabilities formed on the
  basis of the general needs associated with a broad range of impairments

Do’s & Don’t’s

• Do offer to open heavy doors and offer assistance with coats, bags or other belongings.
• Do check with the person that you are pushing in the wheelchair if the speed you are
  going at is comfortable.
• Do talk to a person in a stationary wheelchair with your head at the same level rather that looking down or chatting from a distance?

Don’t’s

• Don’t talk to a person with mobility impairment through a third party. Speak directly to them.
• Don’t push a wheelchair user unless they ask you to.
• Do not lean on a person’s wheelchair. The chair is part of the body space of the person who uses it.

Contact Us
For more information about Cedar contact:
Marie Carroll
CROSSCARE,
The Red House
Tel: 01 836 0011
email: mcarroll@crosscare.ie

The Red House Clonliffe College Dublin 3 Ireland Tel: 01 836 0011 Fax: 01 836 7166
Email: info@crosscare.ie

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