The Parish Accessibility Fund offered through the Disability Project aims to help parishes to enhance accessibility and inclusion for those who are Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent.
Having rolled out this scheme initially to parishes in the Northern Dioceses, we are pleased to now be able to open this welcome grant-funding to parishes in the Province of Canterbury. Parishes will be able to apply for funding for small projects with a grant of up to £5000, or larger works with a grant value of up to £50,000.
Small projects might include ideas such as implementing a new supportive group for disabled people, improving signage and imagery with inclusivity in mind, enabling dementia-friendly church, or perhaps training for staff, volunteers and congregations.
Larger projects could include structural alterations to buildings, installing technology such as a hearing-aid loop, purchasing appropriate seating, redesigning the height of surfaces/information boards, providing large-print resources and so much more.
You should consider 3 key things in order to make a strong application to the fund:
- Does our church building have a Completed Accessibility Audit.
- Have those with personal experience of disabilities been consulted in designing the project or scheme
- Are the main beneficiaries of the project or scheme, those who are disabled and/or neurodivergent
You can read more about Accessibility in church buildings here.
The application form and guidance documents can be accessed and downloaded from the Diasabilities Project Resources page at this link.
For any questions or to find out more, please email the Disability Project Team.
There is also other helpful information and advice available on the Disability Inclusion Page of this website
