ACCESS: It Begins in the Heart - Congregations across America are opening their hearts, minds and doors to people with disabilities and to older adults, recognizing their unique needs while appreciating their gifts and talents. For each of the fifteen levels in the journey of your congregation, select the bubble that best matches current progress. You will notice that each level of the Journey represents a greater commitment by your congregation toward the goal of full participation and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities.

1	AWARENESS. Recognition by some congregation members or the ordained religious leadership that certain barriers were preventing children or adults with physical, sensory, psychiatric or intellectual disabilities from accessing a full life of faith (including worship, study, service and leadership)	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
2	ADVOCACY (Internal). Growing advocacy within the congregation to welcome people with disabilities as full participants and to remove barriers (architecture, communications and attitudes) to this participation	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
3	DISCUSSIONS. Concerns raised regarding ability of the congregation to meet the challenges (e.g., Are there enough people with this need to justify the expense? Will people with disabilities feel comfortable in joining us once barriers have been removed?) and then solutions identified--ideally with input from people with disabilities and other experts	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
4	PLANS. Invitation of people with disabilities to join the congregation as full members (including participation in rites of passage and initiation), action plans devised to achieve barrier-removing goals, and formal commmitment made to welcome people with disabilities	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
5	ACCOMMODATIONS. Accommodations made to improve the participation of people with disabilities (e.g. large print bulletins, trained ushers, accessible parking spaces, ramps and pew cuts, improved lighting and sound systems, appropriate religious education for children with disabilities)	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
6	WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. Appreciation expressed for the changes being made and friendships extended to people with disabilities and their family members by increasing numbers within the congregation	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
7	HURDLES. Identification of architectural (e.g., elevator, accessible restroom, ramp to the altar, chancel or bimah), communications (e.g., sign language interpreter or alternative formats for materials), transportation (e.g., wheelchair accessible van), financial, or other barriers and ways found to move forward in spite of them	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
8	INCLUSION. Increased participation of people with disabilities in worship, study, service and leadership, as well as increased comfort levels of members with a more diverse congregation	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
9	OUTREACH (Local). Options explored and action plans formulated for partnership opportunities with local agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
10	LEADERSHIP. Recruitment of lay members with disabilities for leadership roles within the congregation and a willingness demonstrated to accept and accommodate an ordained leader with disability	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
11	NEW CONSCIOUSNESS. Resistant barriers of attitude within the congregation toward people with disabilities addressed (e.g., through adult education forums, consciousness raising by the leadership of the congregation, and one-on-one friendships)	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
12	TRANSFORMATION. Ongoing transformation of the congregation (through enriched opportunities, responsibilities, and friendships) into a place where children and adults with disabilities are welcomed, fully included, and treated with respect	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
13	ADVOCACY (External). An expanded advocacy role for congregation members regarding the needs and rights of persons with disabilities in the community-at-large	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
14	OUTREACH. Successful strategies, insights, and effective practices compiled and shared with other congregations and communities	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!
15	SHARING THE STORY. The story of the transformation of the congregation publicized through articles, presentations, and/or media events	not started	getting started	well on our way	we're there!!