See the whole person.
Disability does not reduce a person's worth, agency, gifts, calling or place within Christian community.
FREE CHURCH INCLUSION TOOL
Church Inclusion Compass.
Explore where your church is today in disability inclusion and receive practical next steps for accessibility, belonging, participation and leadership.
Access
→
Belonging
→
Participation
→
Leadership
WHY THIS TOOL EXISTS
Inclusion should reach beyond welcome.
Africa Ability Trust wants to help churches move toward communities where persons with disabilities and caregivers can belong, grow in faith, use their gifts and participate meaningfully in the mission of the church.
Build belonging into church life.
Accessibility should shape worship, discipleship, communication, children's ministry, events, pastoral care and service.
Make room for participation.
Persons with disabilities should have opportunities to receive, contribute, serve, lead and grow alongside others.
CHURCH INCLUSION CHECK
Where are you today?
Answer from the reality of your church today rather than what you hope will happen in future. Your result is designed to guide action, not judge your church.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
A practical reflection, not an inspection.
You will work through ten parts of church life. Choose the answer that best reflects what normally happens in your church.
Please do not include names, diagnoses or personal information about individual persons with disabilities. The assessment itself can remain anonymous. If you later choose to request follow-up from Africa Ability Trust, only the contact details and report summary you intentionally submit are sent to us.
40 questionsFour short questions in each area.
10 areasFrom theology and access to service and leadership.
Action planReceive priorities for Sunday, 30 days and 90 days.
YOUR CHURCH INCLUSION SNAPSHOT
STRONGEST AREA
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FOCUS FIRST
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YOUR JOURNEY
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Your next steps start here.
This result is a starting point for reflection and action. It is not a certification or accessibility audit.
OVERALL INCLUSION SNAPSHOT
0%
Assessment completed today
YOUR CURRENT INCLUSION STAGE
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REPORT FOR
Your Church
COMPLETED BY
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INCLUSION MAP
A strength to keep building on.
Start here for the clearest practical next step.
Progress matters more than perfection.
Five priorities to work on first
A simple action pathway
THIS SUNDAY
NEXT 30 DAYS
NEXT 90 DAYS
SAVE YOUR RESULTS
Take your action plan with you.
Download a clean, visually formatted PDF report for your church team. The PDF is generated from the report itself, so the website header, Odoo page footer and browser URL are not included.
PDF • FREE • NO ACCOUNT REQUIRED
OPTIONAL
Would you like Africa Ability Trust to follow up?
Add your details if you would like to personalise your PDF or ask AAT to contact you. Completing these fields does not change your assessment score, and nothing is sent to us until you choose Request follow-up from AAT.
Please do not enter confidential information about individual persons with disabilities. The Compass is a practical reflection tool and not a formal accessibility certification.
ACCESSIBLE SUNDAY PLANNER
Plan with people in mind.
Select the access needs that may be present in your congregation or among visitors. The planner turns your choices into a practical preparation checklist for the next service.
CHOOSE ACCESS AREAS
0 selected
QUICK ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
Small changes can remove large barriers.
These examples are starting points. Good accommodation begins by asking the person what supports them rather than assuming everyone with the same disability needs the same thing.
Start with one question:
LISTEN • AGREE • PREPARE • CHECK BACK
“What would make it easier for you to participate?”
- Provide a step-free route where possible.
- Keep aisles and entrances clear.
- Offer flexible seating spaces that do not isolate wheelchair users.
- Check accessible toilet access and communicate alternatives honestly.
- Arrange KSL interpretation when needed.
- Share sermon notes or key announcements where practical.
- Ensure good lighting and visibility for speakers and interpreters.
- Use captions on prepared video content where available.
- Offer verbal orientation to spaces when helpful.
- Read important visual content aloud.
- Use accessible digital documents.
- Keep walking routes predictable and free of unnecessary obstacles.
- Provide a quieter seating option.
- Share the service order in advance where practical.
- Give notice of unusually loud, flashing or unexpected elements.
- Allow movement, sensory supports and breaks without judgment.
- Use simple, direct instructions.
- Explain transitions before they happen.
- Use visual or written supports where helpful.
- Give additional processing time without rushing the person.
- Ask caregivers what would help them participate too.
- Make room for prayer, fellowship and pastoral care.
- Avoid isolating families from ordinary church life.
- Build referral and follow-up pathways for needs beyond the church's capacity.
FROM CHECKLIST TO CHURCH LIFE
The goal is not a perfect score. It is deeper belonging.
Use this tool as a conversation starter with pastors, ministry teams, persons with disabilities, caregivers and families. Inclusion grows when churches listen, learn and make room for people to participate fully.
NEED SUPPORT?
Africa Ability Trust can walk with your church.
We support churches with disability awareness, accessibility, training, KSL, practical inclusion planning and ministry development.
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