Our Lady of the Fields

Parish Accessibility Survey

1070 Cecil Ave S.

Millersville, MD 21108

410-923-7060

Email survey or questions to:

In 1978 the U.S. Catholic Bishops declared in their Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities: It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to people with disabilities....To exclude members of the parish from these celebrations of the life of the Church, even by passive omission, is to deny the reality of that community.

To assess how well our parish is following the Bishops' mandate to do all in our power to...reach out to welcome people with disabilities who seek to participate in the ecclesial community, please take a few moments to complete this survey of facilities and ministries.

Auditory Access to Worship and Activities:

Is our community in need of any of the following devices or resources to make worship and activities accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing?

YesNo

Assistive listening devices

(Infrared, Audio Loop, FM System)

Sign / Oral interpreters

Written text of verbal presentations

Captioned audiovisual materials

Could OLF members benefit from any of the following devices?

YesNo

A visual emergency alarm system in the Church and Parish Center

A Telephone Device for the Deaf in parish administration center and staff familiar with use

Mobility Access to Church Facilities:

Could OLF parking be improved in the following areas to allow for convenience and ease of use by people with mobility impairments?

YesNo

Clearly marked reserved parking spaces

Paved access pathway to buildings

4-foot wide curb cut to sidewalk

Does OLF need any more of the following items addressed to make our facility even more accessible to people with mobility impairments (parishioners/guests who use wheelchairs, canes, crutches, walkers or are unsteady)? (To offer suggestions please provide your contact information on back of survey.)

YesNo

Ramp

Ramp has hand rails on both sides

Ramp has non-slip surface

Lift device

Elevator

Steps have continuous hand rails

Doors open easily or automatically

Doors are at least 32 inches wide

Smooth transition between doorway and floor surface

Do you know of people with mobility impairment that would need access to any of the following areas?

YesNo

Sanctuary

Confessionals

Choir area

Parish Center

Parish Administration Building

Restrooms/Water fountains

Telephones

Are you aware that OLF has two front pews available for people who use crutches or walkers?

_____Yes_____ No

Could OLF use more than the front pew that has been shortened to enable people in wheelchairs to sit with family/friends?

_____Yes_____ No

Visual Access to Worship and Activities:

Which of the following items could OLF use to make worship and activities accessible to people with visual impairment?

YesNo

Large print material

(Worship aids, Hymnals, Bulletins, Newsletters, Signs)

Braille material

Audio CD material

Audio description

Does OLF need to improve lighting in any of the following areas?

YesNo

Parking area

Approach and entryways to buildings

Body of Church

Sanctuary

Parish Center

Is OLF facilities accessible to persons with visual impairments?

YesNo

Free of hazardous over-hangs and

protruding objects

Clearly marked abrupt changes in level

Other Access Issues:

Would it be helpful to have a place on the parish registration form to ascertain if any parishioners have allergies or chemical sensitivities to such things as the wheat host, paint, perfume, cleaning fluids, etc.?

_____Yes_____ No

Do you need gluten free hosts? OLF provides nearly gluten free hosts for people with gluten issues so that they can participate in worship?

_____Yes_____ No

MINISTRY ACCESS:

Formation Opportunities: Are you aware that on Tuesdays OLF is offering a Special Education class for children in Faith Formation at 4:30pm? For adults with St John-Severna Park at 7:00pm? Interested? _____Yes _____ No

Ministry Opportunities: Are you or someone you know interested in serving in a parish ministry? Please check item below and training will be provided. We desire and encourage people living with disabilities to serve in any parish ministries. Please provide contact information below.

Altar Servers_____

Greeters_____

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion_____

Ushers_____

Lectors_____

Choir_____

Parish Council_____

Catechist-Children, Youth or Adults_____

Youth/Young Adult Ministry _____

Service Groups (K of C, Circles, Youth service groups, etc.)

Special Ministries_____ (__Ministers of Care, __Funeral Receptions, __Money counters, __RCIA, other______, etc.)

Have we missed anything? Please identify a brief comment or concern below. We ask that you also provide your contact information below so that we can address your concerns or needs.

______

______

Name______

Address______

City/Zip______

Phone______

Email______

Thank you for completing this survey!

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This survey has been adapted and reprinted from:

National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities,

Washington, D.C.; For a more detailed survey, see Chapter One, Section B.3.a.

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