ACCESSIBILITY TASK FORCE
Wendy Claire Barrie (Canon for Intergenerational Ministries) and Alexandra Thompson (Vestry '26) have formed a short-term task force on Accessibility, chaired by parishioner Michael Garrett. This work to take place from January to June, 2025. The task force will identify short term, medium term, and long term actions and opportunities to improve the physical campus and worship and ministry experience with regard to physical abilities, neurodiversity, and people with intellectual disabilities. We anticipate most work will be done in small groups or by doing some research on your own and reporting back to the subgroup or task force.
Our 2024 Strategic Plan calls us to Cultivate Diverse Community, and with this task force, we want to be able to answer how we are actively seeking and nurturing diverse community through listening, connection, and collaboration. Please direct questions or comments to wbarrie@saintmarks.org or alexandra.thompson62@yahoo.com
Resources and Worksheets:
Enhancing Accessibility at Saint Mark's: Challenges & Opportunities (pdf)
Six Tips for Accessible Meetings
Access and Accommodation Guide & Checklist (architectural barriers)
Disability Etiquette Guidelines Worksheet
Church Accessibility Audit Form
Books on Disabilities Available at the Diocese of Olympia Resource Center
Articles & Webpages:
Alabama church’s sensory room serves kids who struggle to adjust to light and sound (Episcopal News Service)
Barrier-Free Belonging (from the Church of England)
The Neurodiverse Service (from ndworship.com)
"Autism: adventures beyond the neurotypical" (from Church Times)
"Meet Marta: Navigating Seattle with a White Cane" (from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods)
Creating Communities of Inclusion and Belonging for Youth with Disabilities (from Yale Divinity School)
Saint Mark's References:
Nothing About Us Without Us: Accessibility Listening Sessions
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 3 P.M., Zoom only
SUNDAY APRIL 27, 12:30 P.M., in person in Leffler house and via Zoom
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 5 PM., Zoom only
The Saint Mark’s Accessibility Task Force will host listening sessions in the week after for conversation about accessibility under the following rubrics: attitude/culture; worship services, events, and classes; communications; and physical environment. Are there specific diversity and inclusion programs that have been particularly beneficial for individuals with disabilities? What are the biggest barriers you would like to see addressed at Saint Mark’s?
The task force members warmly invite all who have lived experience of disability, who have an affinity for justice, or who cares for someone with and apparent or non-apparent disability to share your thoughts and suggestions. In the summer, the task force will present a summary to the Vestry for consideration and implementation. Contact Alexandra Thompson (alexandra.thompson62@yahoo.com or 206.518.7546) or Michael Garrett (skybot2@hotmail.com or 206.550.6305)
Video of “Enhancing Accessibility at Saint Mark’s”
The slides from this presentation by Task Force Chair Michael Garrett's can be downloaded as a pdf here: Enhancing Accessibility at Saint Mark's: Challenges & Opportunities