A Church Near You has launched a new set of accessibility icons designed to help churches share clear information about their facilities.
These easy-to-recognise symbols allow visitors to quickly see what accessibility features a church provides, from step-free entry and accessible toilets to large-print materials, hearing loops, and even dietary considerations like dairy-free catering. They can be used on websites, noticeboards, flyers, and social media, helping those with accessibility requirements plan their visit and feel reassured before they arrive.
The icons include accessibility icons such as disabled lifts, drop off points, toilets etc, through to BSL, Braille and hidden disabilities support. You can see the full list of new icons below along with guidance to help your church to meet people’s needs.
As the autumn and winter months bring a busy calendar of seasonal events such as Remembrance services, Advent concerts, Christingles, and Christmas celebrations, many churches will be welcoming new and returning visitors. These are great opportunities to bring people closer to faith, but they can also mean that there are times when church buildings are busier, layouts change – and accessibility can be unintentionally overlooked.
Taking steps now to check that everyone can enter, move around, and participate comfortably can make a big difference for the experiences of those attending with accessibility requirements.
Pioneer Minister Sonya Newton, from Gloucester City Deanery and a member of the Inclusion and Access For All group, said:
“It’s really important for churches to remember to keep disabled access open and usable when they have big occasions or displays. I had someone say to me recently that they went to a special event, and their disabled parking was blocked off.
“As Christians, we hope to share faith with everybody we possibly can, and these special occasions are such a spectacular opportunity to do this. But it’s so important to make sure everything is still reachable, usable, and available as usual – that a display doesn’t block a disabled lift, for example. Accessibility is central to the mission of the Church.”
The new accessibility icons are a helpful tool to start and continue conversations within your church about inclusion. They not only help you communicate what you already offer but also highlight areas that could be improved.
The Revd Laine Lewis of Barnwood, Gloucester, and Chair of the inclusion and access for all group, said:
“It is so important for people to be able to access church, and these new icons are an excellent way for people to know how they can best access worship.”
Laura Elder, Parish Administrator for St George’’ Tuffley with St Margaret’s Whaddon and St James Quedgeleyand PhD student in Psychology (cognitive and social), specifically focusing on situation awareness for wheelchair users, including aspects of social stigma and counterfactual thinking, said:
“As a disabled person myself, I welcome the introduction of these new icons and strongly encourage churches to collaborate with their diverse congregations to ensure accessibility continues to evolve in meaningful and practical ways.”
Sonya said: “These icons are helpful because they encourage churches to get their tape measures out and look at the facilities they already have. It helps churches to see where they can make adjustments, put up better signage, and realise they may already have the potential to accommodate people with additional needs.
“I would suggest that churches add more details alongside the icons. Can someone use the lift alone? Can they open the toilet door independently? Some people have very specific needs, like left or right-side transfers.
“I also recommend that churches advertise whether they are happy to be contacted in advance if people need prepackaged gluten-free snacks, or sensory adaptations. These are not included in the icons. Providing this information can make a big difference for visitors planning their visit.”
By reviewing your facilities and using the new accessibility icons, your church is ensuring that everyone feels welcome.
If anybody needs assistance in this area, the inclusion and access for all group is happy to offer advice – email Laine Lewis at ku.oc1771271717.liam1771271717toh@s1771271717iwelk1771271717lm1771271717.
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