Accessibility

Access to the Church Building

There are paths from the surrounding roads up to the main entrances into the church and the adjoining Parish Centre.  The paths have a slight incline but no steps.

There is level access into the church and Parish Centre.  The three primary exit routes are all level-access, but there is currently one secondary exit route with a single step.

Throughout the building, the doorways, corridors and aisles are all wide enough for a wheelchair to pass.

There are two toilets in the Parish Centre.  One is equipped with baby-changing facilities, but both are compliant with requirements for use by people with disabilities.

There is a single step between the nave and the chancel and a second step from the chancel up to the high altar.  Access to the bell ringing chamber is via a spiral staircase.

Access to Church Services

At eucharistic services, the bread and wine are distributed from the high altar step.  At the Parish Eucharist service at 09:30 on Sundays, the elements are also distributed from the Lady Chapel which has level access.  For wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, the elements can be brought to the person in their seat.

The church is equipped with a 'sound reinforcement system' which is connected to loudspeakers, plus a hearing loop for people with an appropriate hearing aid.

For people with a visual impairment, large-print versions of hymnals and service books are available.

Policy Statement On Accessibility

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has a policy of ensuring safe and reasonable means of access to, and use of, the facilities at St Michael's Church, the Churchyard and the Church Hall.  This is to allow people (whether disabled or not) to have proper, safe and reasonable access.

The PCC, through the remits of the Fabric, Churchyard and Church Hall committees, is committed to ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to meet the obligations of the Equality Act 2010.  The committees will assess the accessibility requirements and take reasonable steps to ensure that people with disabilities will not be disadvantaged when using the facilities.

Health and Safety Policy

St Michael's church has a comprehensive Health and Safety Policy, which aims:

• to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees, casual labour, voluntary helpers and contractors, and
  
• to provide such information, training and supervision as is needed for this purpose.
  

Full details can be found in the Health and Safety Policy Document, a copy of which may be requested from the Parish Office.

Website Accessibility

This website is intended to be as accessible as possible to the widest range of users, regardless of any disability or technology issues.  The design therefore incorporates:

• clear fonts which are user-adjustable in size;
  
• good colour contrasts;
  
• simple layouts;
  
• full annotation of images to aid navigation, e.g. by those using a speaking web-browser;
  
• minimal use of scripts to ensure accessibility by users with the widest range of devices/configurations.
  

For further information, please refer to the published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG version 2.0 or WCAG Draft version 2.1).

Any comments on ways to improve accessibility of the website would be appreciated (see Feedback webpage).