Accessibility and conservation

Church buildings, like all public buildings, are subject to the Equality Act 2010. This means churches have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people are not disadvantaged when accessing worship, events, or facilities.

This can include:

• Step-free access to the building

• Accessible toilets

• Hearing loops or other assistive technology

• Clear signage and lighting

When making changes to improve accessibility, churches still need to follow the faculty process, especially for listed buildings or those in conservation areas. The DAC can help you balance accessibility improvements with heritage considerations.

Accessibility is part of the Church’s commitment to welcome and inclusion—it’s both a legal responsibility and a mission priority.

1. Churches of all periods are a myriad of different materials that require a detailed understanding as to how they interact with one another and endure their environmental challenges imposed by age or use.
2. Conservation -minimal intervention in order to preserve the artefact or environment is the expected behaviour for listed buildings and non listed places of worship which does include the setting or the churchyard.
3. Prior to planning work, procurement, and actioning-please speak with a specialist advisor or the Church Buildings Adviser for guidance.