1. Vehicle Access to the site for delegates with accessibility issues is as follows:

Blue Badge holders will always be able to drive from the main gate to the disabled parking area and do not require an additional pass. Those without a Blue Badge wanting to access the disabled parking area will need to apply for a vehicle pass for their car prior to the event. Vehicle passes are given on a discretional basis and may be refused.

Any Blue Badge holder or other delegate that needs to be able to park their car by their camp site and/or use it to get to and from where they are camping to the various venues must also apply for a vehicle pass. Site passes can be applied for by contacting
admin@devotedevent.org but delegates should consider point (2) before making a request.

Speed - please follow directions of stewards and keep your speed very low while driving on site, using hazard lights at all times. We have imposed a speed restriction of 5mph on site, anyone found speeding may have their car passes revoked and may be asked to remove their car.

2. Use of accessibility equipment on site

Most of the Devoted site is very accessible: it is reasonably flat, with tarmacked roads and the venues are centrally located on the site. Delegates who need mobility scooters or similar equipment are welcome to bring them to help them get round the site. Charging points can be provided where necessary.

While we recognise this may not always be possible in all cases, our preference is for delegates who need help accessing the site to be responsible for bringing their own mobility equipment, especially if the alternative would be needing to use their car around the site during the event. This as we said earlier is due to our desire to make the site a car free, pedestrian friendly, environment for the safety of everyone, but especially our young children!

Here are a few ways we can help while you are on site:

Amenities

Accessible toilets and showers will be available on site.

Electric Wheelchairs or Mobility Scooters

If you have an electric wheelchair or scooter, and it needs recharging, please contact the accessibility team or the information point as we have specific locations which you can use.

Wheelchairs & Mobility Scooters in meetings

Wheelchair & mobility scooter users will be free to sit where they wish to in the various venues across site, but please be aware that we do need clear access in aisles in case of fire or other emergencies. If you are unsure, one of our friendly stewards will be able to advise you. Please don't be offended if we ask you to move a little to help with safe seating.

Hearing Loop & BSL

A hearing loop will be in use in the main hall in the sections directly in front of the main stage. We will also be offering BSL in our main meetings and the LifeZone / Seminars which take place in the main meeting area.

Main Venue

We appreciate that it might be difficult for some people to wait in the entrance lobby to go into the main meetings. If you need help, please talk to the accessibility team in advance or speak to one of our friendly stewards. We will allow early access for people where appropriate.

If the LifeZone you want to go to is upstairs, there is a lift from one floor to the other – please ask a steward for help.

When you have a disability, knowing you are not defined by it is the sweetest feeling.

Advertisement Feature: Through The Roof

Through the Roof

Our vision is of a world where we all live as community, giving and receiving without exclusion.

We serve those with additional needs in the UK and oversees with life changing projects, delivering wheelchairs and training and serve the church to become a place where everyone can belong and contribute. We run accessible Christian groups and holidays, great places for those with additional needs to find friendship and support. We offer training, resources and materials to help the Christian community be a place of welcome, belonging and involvement for people with additional needs.

To find out more visit: throughtheroof.org 'Through the Roof' is affiliated with Joni and Friends International.

We must go beyond mere inclusion. Disabled people don't simply need to be included (although that's a good starting place) – they need to belong. And in the church, of all places, there must be no 'them and us'.

Ros Bayes Ros is the Training Resources Developer at the Christian disability charity 'Through The Roof'

Should you have any specific needs which you feel we should know about or you would like to discuss with us please do get in touch with the accessibility team and we will endeavour to help you.

It would help our accessibility team if you made contact regarding any specific needs before 23:59hrs on the 30th June to enable us to consider and plan for any request you make. The earlier we hear about particular needs, the more able we will be to help you plan for the event in advance! However, we will always try our best to accommodate any late changes to your accessibility needs.

If you have been in touch with us about your accessibility requirements prior to the event someone from the accessibility team will be in contact, to further discuss your needs and to introduce themselves.

Accessibility Team

We have a wonderful team of people who volunteer to help those with accessibility issues (and their carers) during Devoted, helping the event be accessible as possible for those attending with additional needs. They are based at our Accessibility Suite (see the onsite handbook for more details). They will be on hand to help parents / carers of children with additional needs throughout the day. They will be able to provide a safe space for children to play or have respite from the joys of camping!

If you are interested in volunteering as part of our Accessibility Team both before or during the event click here.

If you have additional needs, or you are a parent or carer of someone who is attending the event, please don't feel under any obligation to volunteer to help, especially if this would be too much! However, we would love your input and support if you do have capacity!

Pain is pain. Broken is broken. FEAR is the biggest disability of all and will PARALYSE you more than being in a wheel chair.

Accessibility Suite

We want to make Devoted as accessible as possible for as many people as we can. To help us achieve this, we also have a space dedicated to those people with additional needs and accessibility issues. Location details will be included in our site handbook.

This space will be open from 9.30am to 9.30pm each day and will have tea and coffee available. There will be a live audio & video feed from the main venue, so that you don’t miss our main meetings. This live link will be at a reduced volume to help accommodate those who struggle with loud noises. There will also be a quiet space where children with additional needs can be cared for. Please note, children and vulnerable adults cannot be left unattended in this area or with team members

Our accessibility team will be on hand to support you throughout the weekend and if you have any worries we will help, if we can, with the resources we have available.

The Bible is full of people whose disabilities were no barrier to them playing a vital part in the history of God's people.