Philadelphia, PA – Call for Civil Team
Community Background
A church in Philadelphia is striving to make its building accessible to individuals with disabilities. It is an older building in an urban neighborhood, with an auditorium much higher than street level and a basement below street level, so there have been challenges in identifying a solution that will work for all. The affected community includes the church’s parishioners, including 45 members and 50 to 60 people in attendance Sunday mornings, as well as two paid staff members, 15 regular volunteers, and others who utilize the church and its property. The church is also used as a location to serve the community at large, which is a diverse, lower-income neighborhood in north Philadelphia.
Community Need
The church is difficult for people with disabilities to access, and the church is seeking solutions to increase accessibility, both for parishioners getting to the auditorium, and the general public utilizing the church for its various services.
Project Team Needs
The scope of work includes the design of an accessibility solution. The scope may also include assistance with permitting requirements and identifying funding and implementation opportunities. The church’s primary objectives in which they require assistance include identifying affordable and code-compliant solutions. The church is open to any solutions that are affordable and code compliant, with current suggestions including internal and external ramps and lifts.