Accessibility & Inclusion Services
We are committed to making our services and facilities accessible and comfortable for all members of our community.
Our Facilities
There are five accessible parking spots available in our parking lot, and wheelchair/ramp access is available for all entrances at Temple Beth Shalom. The entrance closest to our north parking lot has a button-operated automatic door and is reserved for those needing a shorter walk inside the building. Temple members who have an ongoing need to enter through this side door may request an access code by completing this form.
An elevator is available to reach the second floor, where our sanctuary balcony is located, as well as the third floor. We offer a wheelchair on site for those in need of one.
There are braille versions of the Mishkan T'filah (our prayerbook) used for our Shabbat services on Friday night and Saturday morning. If you or someone you know needs this braille version, please contact us or call 512-735-8900 by the Wednesday prior to the service you wish to attend, so we can best support you during your visit.
We offer sound amplification with microphones so service leaders can be better heard.
If you view our services online (either when you are in our sanctuary or away from it) you may view the captions on our livestream feed.
Our indoor space is climate controlled. When we have activities outside the building, the building will be open for those who need to sit, to use a restroom, or to take a break from the outdoor heat or cold.
We have women's and men's restrooms on every floor of our temple building. Our restrooms have stalls that accommodate those with disabilities.
Two all-gender restrooms are located on the first floor, which can be used by anyone, including families and those who need to accompany a loved one to offer extra assistance. One of the all-gender bathrooms is inside the family room, which is located to the left of the main entrance to the sanctuary. The other is next to the kitchen, which can be found behind the social hall. There is a diaper-changing table inside the women's restroom on the ground floor.
Service Animals
Official service animals are allowed at our temple in accordance with the Shalom Austin campus policies.
Family Room
Our family room is located off our sanctuary, with a one-way window viewing out into the sanctuary and a speaker so that those using the family room can hear the service or programming in the sanctuary. Please feel free to use the family room when you and your children need a break; the room is also open to anyone who needs a private space for awhile, including those who need sensory relief.
A Word About Fragrance
Temple Beth Shalom strives to be fragrance free, as many people are allergic to fragrances. We are grateful for your cooperation in forgoing the use of fragrance or highly scented products when attending temple services and events.
Food and Allergens
We recognize that many people have special dietary needs. When food is served, we strive to offer gluten free and dairy free options. We are also aware of nut allergies and will label food containing nuts.
Website
If you would like to make our website easier to view, there are a number of accessibility "extensions" you can add to your web browser of choice. For example, if you use Chrome as your browser, please see the guidance Use Chrome With Accessibility Extensions. The free Chrome app High Contrast works well with our website.
Questions?
For other questions regarding accessibility and inclusion at our temple events, please contact the event coordinator listed for the event you'd like to attend. If no one is listed as the coordinator, please contact us or call 512-735-8900 for questions or concerns.
Visit our Resources to Assist You webpage to see a list of resources that may be helpful to you in challenging times.