The mission statement of First Unitarian states that we are an 'intentionally inclusive' congregation. Making an old building live up to that goal can be a daunting and expensive challenge. At nearly every portal, one finds barriers that are at least a challenge, often insurmountable, to anyone with a physical impairment.

In the Fall of 1995, the congregation embarked on a fund raising drive to remove the most serious of those barriers to access to places of worship and work in the building. Through the next year, over $45,000 was raised and in October, 1996 we dedicated a new pair of exterior ramps which provided access into the main sanctuary and into the business and Religious Education area of the church -- Pennington Center. That was followed in April, 1997 by the installation of an interior chairlift providing access to Hull Chapel from the sanctuary, and then by a wheelchair-accessible washroom in the Pennington Center. Much remains to be accomplished in this project, but we all take pride in the progress made so far.

	So that all may worship, a new ramp into the main sanctuary was completed in September, 1996.
	To participate fully, access to all areas of the church is necessary. This second outside ramp provides access to the church office area and some religious education classrooms.
	In old buildings, it seems every room is on a different elevation. This chairlift connects the main sanctuary to Hull Chapel - the oldest part of our building.