sample project

Phase I: Audit

  • 1:1 Calls – Through a liaison, we’ll schedule individual calls with a few key stakeholders in order to gain perspectives on your accessibility. Ideally, stakeholders will include members of your board, congregants with disabilities, or volunteers.

  • Disability Sensitivity Training – All staff and volunteers are highly encouraged to participate in this workshop, which covers topics including disability-inclusive language, common stereotypes and misconceptions, and practices for emotional sensitivity and respectful engagement. This is a two-hour commitment. 

  • Tangible Assessment - With feedback from the workshop in mind, the consultant will conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit using a detailed checklist to evaluate architectural, sensory, and cultural accessibility within the church’s services, small groups, classrooms, and/or children’s programs.

  • Virtual Assessment - An assessment will be performed on the church’s website for digital accessibility, as well as any streamed services (if applicable), to determine their accessibility for disabled users.

  • Reports - The consultant will produce written reports for both the physical and virtual assessments. Each report will include:

  1. A summary of findings.

  2. Detailed notes with photographs and observations.

  3. Recommended areas for improvement. 

*A timeline for any suggested changes will be developed in Phase III after receiving feedback from leadership.

  • Review - The consultant, the liaison, and Bishop Sandy will meet to review the reports. Following this meeting, the consultant will email the reports and findings to approved church leadership for review and feedback.

Phase II: Transition

  • Outline - Depending on needs, we will establish a few short-term and long-term SMARTIE Goals with the liaison, leadership, and the consultant. We will iron out the planned period of retainer in this Outline Meeting. 

  • Check Ins – I will do check-ins with the liaison as well as a clergy person that decrease in frequency over time.

  • Observations – I will attend the church in-person to evaluate progress on specific goals throughout the transition process.

  • Feedback – I will ask for feedback on my services throughout my retainer and once it comes to a conclusion.