Accessibility of Building and Programs
To conduct an accessibility audit of your own congregation and create a page that reflects your level of accessibility visit the UUA’s EqUUal Access Congregational Accessibility Projects page.
First UU Congregational Accessibility Project
Do you want to improve the church’s accessibility for people with disabilities?
4th Wednesday of the month at 6 – 7:30 pm
Alcove B or Zoom
Come join the Congregational Accessibility Project! We are using resources from EqUUal Access, an UUA disability affinity group, to evaluate our accessibility and create suggestions to increase accessibility and inclusion. Our next meeting is September 25 at 6 pm. If you have any questions or want to be added to the group email list, contact our ministerial intern, Kirstin Fritz.
Reporting of General Questions or Accessibility Concerns
We welcome and affirm people of all abilities. We have taken the following steps to assure that no one is excluded for full participation in the life of our church. If there are any general building, program or service accessibility concerns or questions, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Mobility
Our sanctuary, fellowship hall and religious education classrooms are fully accessible to those using wheelchairs or having limited mobility. We do have storage rooms in the church basement that can only be reached by stairs and the restroom in the church office is not accessible, but all restrooms are. If you have any concerns, If there are any general building, program or service accessibility questions/concerns, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Sight
Large print hymnals and Orders of Service are always available. We also have a braille hymnal. Please ask any usher for assistance. If you would like an orientation tour of the campus during the week, contact the church office to make arrangements. If there are any general building, program or service accessibility questions/concerns, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Hearing
We have wire loop technology connected to our PA system. During all church meeting and workshops, anyone wishing to speak from the audience is strongly encouraged to use the portable microphones so those who are hard of hearing are not excluded. If there are any general building, program or service accessibility questions/concerns, please email accessibility@richmonduu.org.
Chemical Sensitivity
We use odorless candles and we have a well ventilated fragrance-free zone where those with sensitivities are invited to sit and those who are adorned with perfume or tobacco smoke are encouraged to avoid. This is announced every Sunday during our welcome.
Special Needs Children
If you want your child to participate in the religious education program and feel that they may require special accommodation due to learning disabilities or behavioral issues, please contact the Director of Religious Education in advance so the best possible arrangements can be made.
Pastoral Care
We provide pastoral care to all members regardless of ability. To build the beloved community, the volunteers on the care team receive special training to assist those who may feel unwelcome, patronized or marginalized because of their disability. They may not be able to fully remedy every situation, but they can provide a compassionate ear and a willingness to enlist the help of others. If you have a hidden disability that you think it’s important for someone to know, please contact a member of the pastoral care team or contact the minister to share your information in confidence.
Service Animals
We have grassy areas where service animals may relieve themselves. If you have any questions not answered or concerns not addressed, please contact the church office about accessibility to seek further information.