First Lutheran Church was the recipient of the 2005 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Accessibility Award, based on the following criteria:

1) Physical accessibility of the church building.
2) Outreach into the community to people who have disabilities.
3) Inclusion of people with disabilities in the worship and daily life of the congregation.

We encourage all people, with and without disabilities, to practice their faith and use their gifts in worship, service, study and leadership.

In order to facilitate inclusion of persons with a variety of abilities, we offer:

* Full wheelchair access to all levels of the building using a ramp or elevator.
* Handicapped-equipped restroom facilities.
* Large print worship bulletins.
* Assistive hearing devices for use during worship services.
* Wheelchair lift-equipped bus service to the 11:00 am Sunday service.
* A special needs ministry, Friends in Faith, for persons with intellectual challenges.

In 2000, First Lutheran Church joined the National Organization on Disabilities Accessible Congregations Campaign (www.NOD.org ), signing a commitment that we were willing to identify and remove barriers to the full participation of people with disabilities.