Accessibility information

We want to do our best to ensure MLFC is accessible and welcoming for everyone.

This information is intended to help you anticipate noise levels, sensory environments, and available supports during the event.

Most areas of El Rancho are wheelchair accessible. We recognise that large events can be challenging for some neurodivergent people and others with sensory sensitivities. You are welcome to step out of any session at any time if needed, and return whenever you feel ready. This is an area we want to continue developing, and we welcome your feedback - what worked well, and what could be improved?

Quiet room

Founders Lounge is designated as a quiet room for much of MLFC. Here you will find jigsaw puzzles, adult colouring, and a quiet place to just be. It will only be used for other purposes during the following times:

Friday
9-10pm - Welcome space for newcomers

Saturday
11am - 12.15pm - Workshops
1.15pm - 2.30pm - Workshops
8.30-10pm - Quiz night

At all times the Chapel is available as a quiet, low-sensory space.

Earplugs

We get it, things can get overwhelming in noisy environments! We’ve got free earplugs available for you - you’ll find them in Founders Lounge, Camp Office, and as you enter Kauri Hall.

Livestream

We are offering a livestream of the main sessions for MLFC this year. The link to access this will be shared on the WhatsApp community chat prior to the session starting. This allows you to stay connected with the worship and teaching from your own room if needed.

Communication cards

We have sets of communication cards available in both the Quiet room (Founders Lounge) and Camp Office - useful for those moments when you need to express your feelings and needs.

Need help?

Give Richard, our Events Manager, a call or text - 021 0200 7113

What to expect?

The timetable below provides an accessibility rating for the major planned events during MLFC. The higher the rating, the noisier things are likely to be. We know this is subjective, so we have included brief descriptions, including when worship is expected to finish in the main sessions.

Key:

🟢⚪⚪ Low sensory environment - quiet, calm, predictable
🟡🟡⚪ Moderate sensory environment - some noise and activity
🟠🟠🟠 High sensory environment - loud, busy, high activity

Friday

7-9pm - Main session
🟡🟡⚪
After the mihi whakatau there will be a time of worship including children and youth. Bible study will start at approximately 8.05pm, followed by one song and the keynote address.

9pm onwards - supper and welcome space
🟢🟡⚪
There will be more activity around the pizza oven and coffee truck. The welcome space in Founders Lounge is a way for people who are new to MLFC to make connections with each other.

Saturday

7.30am - prayer walk
🟢⚪⚪
People are encouraged to walk together and pray for those in attendance, and for the ministry of El Rancho. You are welcome to pray out loud, or in the silence of your own heart as you'd prefer.

9-10.40am - Main session
🟡🟡⚪
This will start with an extended time of worship. Teaching content will begin at approximately 9.35am, with one song after this point.

11.30am and 1.30pm - Workshops
🟡🟡⚪
Workshops will feature one or more presenters, possibly with discussion

7-8.30pm - Main session
🟡🟡⚪
This will start with an extended time of worship. Teaching content will begin at approximately 7.35pm, with one song after this point.

8.30pm - Evening activities

Glow in the dark dodgeball
🟠🟠🟠 This will be a high activity, high noise event

Quiz night
🟡🟡🟠 This will include a lot of discussion and higher than usual noise level

Pizza oven / coffee
🟢🟡⚪ We anticipate this will be lower noise than Friday night given the other activities on offer.

Sunday

7.30am - prayer walk
🟢⚪⚪
People are encouraged to walk together and pray for those in attendance, and for the ministry of El Rancho. You are welcome to pray out loud, or in the silence of your own heart as you'd prefer.

9.15-10.30am - Main session
🟡🟡⚪
This will start with an extended time of worship. Teaching content will begin at approximately 9.40am, with one song after this point. At the end we share the peace over morning tea

10.45-11.45am - Closing Eucharist
🟡🟡🟠
Children and youth will be joining us for this closing session, so general noise and activity levels will be higher.