Places of worship have always been centres of community, hope, and inclusion. Whether it's a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or any other sacred space, these buildings are meant to welcome everyone. Yet, many remain physically inaccessible to people with disabilities, unintentionally leaving some members of their community feeling excluded.
No one should be prevented from practising their faith due to architectural barriers. The majority of the public believes that if a building is Grade Listed, accessibility improvements are often difficult to implement. However, this is far from the truth. At Sesame Access, we have never been declined Listed Building Consent. Our innovative, invisible wheelchair lifts are designed to ensure that historic buildings, including sacred spaces, remain both beautiful and accessible.
The reality of accessibility today
The statistics are sobering. Globally, 1.3 billion people live with a disability, that's roughly 16% of the world’s population (World Health Organization, 2023). In the UK alone, 1 in 5 people are disabled (Family Resources Survey, 2023). A survey by Ecclesiastical Insurance found that 59% of people with disabilities have faced barriers when trying to access places of worship. Furthermore, 76% of disabled visitors say they would be more likely to attend services and community events if accessibility were improved (Scope UK).
These numbers aren't just figures, they represent individuals who are seeking community, comfort, and spirituality and who deserve full and equal access.
The role of accessibility in religious spaces
Faith is for everyone. Across religions and cultures, teachings emphasise compassion, inclusion, and welcoming those who might be marginalised. Accessibility is a true reflection of these values, ensuring no one is left out. When places of worship are made accessible, everyone can participate, feel valued, and engage in their spiritual community.
When a place of worship is accessible, it invites more people to join, builds stronger connections between members, and shows a commitment to making everyone feel welcome. It's about ensuring that every individual can experience the same sense of belonging.
Imagine a worshipper arriving for a service or a wedding ceremony and being able to enter the main entrance alongside their family, without needing a back door or special assistance. Imagine the message this sends to that person. Accessibility is not just a "nice-to-have", it's an essential expression of care, respect, and inclusion.
Legal aspects of accessible places of worship
Accessibility also comes with its own set of legal responsibilities. In places like the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires public spaces, including places of worship, to make reasonable adjustments for accessibility. By doing so, these spaces not only comply with the law but also show that they’re serious about creating an inclusive environment for all visitors.
But beyond laws and regulations, accessibility is about dignity. When people with disabilities can enter a building through the same doors as everyone else, it reinforces their equality and respect. It’s not about side entrances or making do with less; it’s about ensuring every person has the same access.
Sesame is built upon this belief: everyone should experience walking through the front entrance, not be sent around the back to the ‘accessible entrance,’ where visitors can feel excluded and like an afterthought.
How Sesame Access can help
Historic buildings and places of worship often face a delicate challenge: how to modernise for accessibility without altering the architectural integrity of the space. That’s how the Sesame Lift came about, to solve this challenge.
Our invisible wheelchair lifts are custom-designed to seamlessly integrate into the existing building’s structure. When not in use, the lift is completely hidden, preserving the beauty and historic value of the entrance.
Installation is handled with the utmost care, respecting the building’s significance and history. We work closely with the architect, facilities managers, contractors, and other key stakeholders to ensure every step is carefully executed. We prioritise minimal disruption to the structure and the building’s operations, ensuring the space retains its original charm and can continue serving its visitors throughout the installation.
Additionally, our lifts comply with national accessibility standards and can be specially designed to meet international requirements, providing peace of mind for building owners and users alike.
See some of our client case studies here.
Get in touch to learn more about our innovative, invisible wheelchair lifts and how we can make your space inclusive for everyone.