Accessibility
First Congregational Church of Oakland is working to live into our commitment to accessibility while contending with the reality of a nearly 100-year-old building built at the top of a steep hill. Here are some details about accessibility:
1
The church is at the top of a steep hill, and there is currently no accessible route from the street-level sidewalk and bus stop to the accessible entrance. We are looking into ways to address this, but for now, guests using wheelchairs or scooters need to drive or be dropped off at the top of the back parking lot.
2
Wheelchair users do access the building with assistance by driving or being dropped off at the top of the back parking lot. There are several designated disabled parking spots and there is a ramp with ADA-compliant slope from the back parking lot to a sidewalk leading to both the sanctuary side door and the blue door through which most ground-floor rooms are accessible. NOTE: This is NOT the steep ramp but the more gradual one to its right as you face the building. Even so, assistance might be helpful with this ramp.
3
Unless a member of your group has propped the door open, wheelchair users will need assistance opening the blue door since there is not yet a push button switch on it.
4
Once inside, most ground-floor rooms are accessible using a wheelchair.
5
There is one gender neutral ADA compliant restroom and one ADA compliant stall in the women’s restroom at the center of the ground floor. The restrooms nearest the sanctuary are gender neutral and are large enough for scooters and wheelchairs – they have grab bars and accessible door handles.
6
Scented cleaning products are used in the space. We are currently in conversation about reducing and/or eliminating scents in the space.
7
Events/tenants on the second floor are not wheelchair accessible.