Accessibility
WMSHC values singing in spaces that are physically accessible. Most of the spaces we sing in are historic and have had varying levels of accessibility upgrades. We will do our best to describe the accessibility of these venues, but please reach out to the Accessibility Committee at accesswmshc@gmail.com if you have questions.
Lighting may be dim in some parts of each venue. You are welcome to bring a book light.
Because of the open, drop-in nature of our events, we typically cannot guarantee a scent-free space. The spaces may be crowded.
At longer singings where there is a "dinner on the grounds" (traditional potluck), we ask singers to label food with the ingredients used, but due to the potluck nature, we cannot guarantee the contents or lack of allergens in any dishes.
Below is physical accessibility information for many of the venues where we sing regularly. This list is a work in progress—we'll be adding more details over time. If you have questions about accessibility or additional information/corrections about any of these venues, please feel free to reach out to accesswmshc@gmail.com.
Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Northampton
Doorways are as narrow as 36 inches. There is a push button accessible entrance on the left side (when facing the front) of the building. The doorway to this entrance measures 42 in wide. On the left side of the parking lot (closest to Round Hill Road), there is one designated accessible parking spot.
The singing area is on the main level of the building. We sit in a "hollow square". The aisles to the center of the square are narrow but chairs can be moved to widen the aisles. We aim to put lighter chairs on the sides of each row that can easily be moved out of the way when needed. While you are welcome to arrive any time during the singing, please know that due to the drop-in nature of our singing, all the chairs in a section may be taken. Please feel free to find a spot behind or next to the section, or try out a different section! If you need assistance moving a chair, feel free to ask another singer between songs.
There is an elevator to the restrooms on the lower level, including a larger family and gender-neutral bathroom that measures about 60 in x 48 in and has grab bars behind and next to the toilet.
At our break, we often have a snack (everyone is a member of the ad-hoc snack committee!) and the food may contain allergens.
Ashfield Town Hall
Ashfield Town Hall is a three story building with bathrooms in the basement, potluck space on the first floor and the singing hall on the second floor. There are two separate lifts between the floors.Two Bathrooms in Basement: Bathroom one has an accessible stalls with interior dimensions of 55" x 97" with handrail and one urinal; Bathroom two has an accessible stall with interior dimensions of 60" x 107" with handrail and an additional smaller stall.
There are eight steps to the main entrance on the first floor from the exterior of the building. To the left of the main entrance there is an accessible entryway to the landing between the basement and the first floor. There is a chair lift with interior dimensions 34" x 54". There are six steps between landing and basement and eight steps between the landing and first floor. There is another accessible entryway with a ramp to the first floor on the right side of the building, however the ramp is not up to ADA grade as it has a steep grade at its end. There is another chair lift from the first floor to the second floor with interior dimensions of 33" x 54" or there are eighteen steps from first floor to second floor. All doorways are 33" wide or greater.
Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity
This building has a side entrance with a ramp, and the singing space is on the main level.
Deerfield Community Center (Historic Deerfield)
There is a side entrance with a ramp to access this building. There is an accessible single-stall restroom.
Sunderland Town Park Pavilion
This outdoor pavilion is on a single level with a cement floor. The ground around the pavilion is grass/dirt that may be slightly uneven. There are 2 accessible single-stall restrooms.