I. All areas of the church need to be accessible.
We recommend that:
A. All annual conference sessions and conference events become accessible to persons with hearing loss, by making every reasonable effort to provide the following services; interpreters with American Sign Language skills, interpreters with skills in Conceptually Signed English, oral interpreters, sign/voice interpreters, real-time captioning, listening devices, telephone devices for the deaf, Computer Assisted Note Takers; and FM systems.
B. All United Methodist seminaries and educational institutions voluntarily move toward full accessibility as exemplified by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by the next general conference and to provide reasonable accommodations for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons who desire to pursue deaf ministry as a vocation.
II. Qualified persons need to be invited and encouraged in the vocation of ordained or diaconal ministry and other lay persons should be provided with ways of offering their gifts to deaf ministry.
We recommend that:
A. Each bishop and district superintendent in their respective annual conferences reach out to churches to encourage deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons to consider ministry as a vocation;
B. Each annual conference board of ordained ministry and board of diaconal ministry adopt a policy that requires candidates for ordination and consecration to have educational preparation in ministry to persons who are deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing.
C. Every annual conference recruit, train, and deploy deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing persons as lay pastors and lay speakers.
III. The church must equip persons for ministry to persons who are deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing.
We recommend that:
A. Annual conferences have available to hearing people brochures containing information concerning ministry with persons who are deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing.
B. Each annual conference offer, at least biennially, continuing education and formation training events for ordained and diaconal ministers in the area of ministry with persons who are deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing.
C. Each annual conference provide workshops in their area that will prepare local church laity and clergy to work with persons who are deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing.
D. United Methodist seminaries include education for ministry to person who are deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing within their curriculum. We further ask the University Senate to advise the approved schools of theology of our concern for education for ministry with these persons.
E. The General Board of Discipleship develop training programs and resources with the assistance of the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf to assist local churches with such training.
IV. The United Methodist Book of Discipline language should reflect the current language and descriptive preferences of persons who are deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing. (In accordance with ¶ 608 of The Book of Discipline, two petitions asking for a change in the wording of The Book of Discipline have been forwarded to the 1996 General Conference. The first asks to change the term "handicapping conditions" to "special needs" in ¶ 72G; the second asks to insert the following as the second sentence in ¶ 530.2: "This is especially important for congregations and ministries having special language and cultural needs.")
V. Proposal to General Conference From the National Committee on Deaf Ministries
We recommend the continuation of the National Committee on Deaf Ministries for the 1997-2000 quadrennium to be accountable to the General Board of Global Ministries and to work in cooperation with the other general boards and agencies.
Description of the National Committee
A. Purpose and Organization of the Committee:
The National Committee on Deaf Ministries shall be accountable to the General Board of Global Ministries to ensure coordination among general program boards. This Committee shall provide an arena for networking, cooperative planning, and implementation of programs designed to empower and enable a ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons. The Committee shall serve as an advocate for deaf ministries with all general agencies of The United Methodist Church.
B. Responsibilities of the Committee:
The responsibilities of the Committee shall include, but not be limited to the following:
1. Identifying the needs and concerns of deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing individuals.
2. Collecting and disseminating information on successful models, programs, and resources that will inform the work of all boards, agencies, and annual conferences to strengthen, enrich, and enable individual family living consistent with Christian teaching and practice.
3. Encouraging exploration of the biblical, theological, and experimental understandings of family living and the church's role in ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
4. Advocating for the development and implementation of programs, policies, and services by general agencies of The United Methodist Church that are designed to have an impact on those systems and concepts that adversely affect persons with hearing loss.
5. Assisting in the recruitment, training, and deployment of diaconal and ordained deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing ministers.
6. Advocating for the accessibility potential for annual conference sessions and programs as models for local churches.
C. Membership of the Committee and Organizing for Ministry:
Each member of the Committee, as designated below, shall have voice and vote.
1. The Committee shall consist of one bishop, 15 members of the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf, and a representative from each of the general boards and agencies listed below in item 4.
2. The bishop shall be selected by the Council of Bishops and shall have experience in deaf ministry within his/her annual conference.
3. There shall be fifteen members elected from the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf. Of those members, there will be six deaf and two deafened persons; two professional interpreters; one educator; one deaf institutional ministry professional; one mental health professional who has experience in the deaf and deafened community; and two ordained ministers, at least one of whom is deaf or hard-of-hearing.
4. There shall be either a staff person or a voting member from the General Council on Ministries, the General Board of Discipleship, the United Methodist Publishing House, the General Board of Church and Society, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Communications, and the General Board of Global Ministries. (If the GBGM member is a director of the Board, a staff member shall also serve with the understanding that the staff member will serve as executive director of NCOD.) Each agency will pay the expenses of its staff representatives.
5. Representatives from other general agencies or groups may be invited to be present as observers or consultants without vote. Their expenses will be paid by their agencies.
6. It is strongly urged that the Committee be inclusive with regard to gender, ethnicity, jurisdictions, and different sign languages and hearing abilities.
7. The Committee shall be convened by the bishop and shall have its organizational meeting no later than July 1, 1997. The members shall elect their own officers.
Objectives of the National Committee of Deaf Ministries
The objectives of the National Committee on Deaf Ministries shall be as follows:
A. To facilitate training programs for the development of deaf ministries in local churches, districts, annual conferences, and general church.
B. To serve as an advocacy group against the stigma and fear of having hearing loss and against those policies and practices in church and society that discriminate against deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
C. To identify critical issues and program implications of the gifts of deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons with special attention to the needs of all deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons; racial and ethnic constituencies; and persons with handicapping conditions; as well as to address issues such as abuse, care giving, poverty, legal rights, and ethical choices facing deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
D. To rally deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons to a new consciousness of their potential and power in church and society.
E. To share in the initiation and planning of events for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons to be conducted at all levels of the church (including the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf).
F. To coordinate information and to make referrals of requests and proposals to the appropriate agencies.
G. To advocate for the purchase and use (including training) of various communication technologies and methods including, but not limited to, telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD), assistive listening devices and captioning services, and interpreters for more effective communications with and among deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
H. To keep abreast of technological developments in communications devices and update those services and training for those services.
Recommendations to General Agencies
A. We recommend that the General Council on Ministries give priority to the development of coordinated research at all levels of the church to provide demographic information concerning programs, needs, and opportunities by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons in The United Methodist Church.
B. We recommend that the General Board of Discipleship give priority to ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons by:
1. Continuing the development of guidelines for the Council on Ministries/Administrative Council and the adult ministries work areas that significantly address issues and needs for ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons in local congregations.
2. Identifying effective lay leadership models for deaf ministry for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
3. Continuing and increasing the involvement and training of deaf, deafened, hard-of-hearing, and hearing persons in the leadership of the local church, such as lay leadership, lay speaking, teaching ministries, and evangelism and outreach.
C. We recommend that the United Methodist Publishing House give priority to ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons by:
1. Producing curriculum resources in American Sign Language (ASL) for all age levels.
2. Adapting existing print or visual curriculum for use by, with, and for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
3. Cooperating ecumenically in the production of curriculum and other resources by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
4. Including deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in the planning, writing, signing, and testing of curriculum resources for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
5. Having a deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing editor(s) on staff or on contract who is fully knowledgeable about the needs of culturally deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons to work on curriculum prepared for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
6. Researching within the deaf community the needs for curriculum and the appropriate design of curriculum resources for the different age levels and language abilities of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
D. We recommend that the General Board of Global Ministries give priority to ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard- of-hearing persons by:
1. Holding yearly meetings with program-related general agencies to monitor progress and to receive progress reports. The General Board of Global Ministries will have responsibility for leading the denomination toward greater sensitivity to the deaf community and will also stress the importance and monitor the presence of interpreters at all national and international events.
2. Continuing and encouraging the inclusion of deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons in mission education and outreach.
3. Identifying and supporting effective models for deaf ministries in urban and rural settings, large and small membership churches, and among racial and ethnic groups.
4. Supporting the involvement of deaf, deafened, and hard-of- hearing persons in education and action in national and international affairs.
5. Planning and implementing programs that significantly include racial and ethnic deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
6. Initiating consultations with churches in other countries to identify concerns and needs of deaf, deafened, and hard-of- hearing persons, with follow-up outreach and ministry.
7. Including residents of United Methodist related retirement homes in decision-making on programs affecting deaf and hard-of- hearing residents.
8. Continuing to maintain a mailing list and disseminating a semi-annual newsletter in consultation with the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf.
9. Relating to and providing liaison services for interdenominational and ecumenical agencies in the area of deaf ministries, including the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf.
E. We recommend that the General Board of Church and Society give priority to the ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons by:
1. Monitoring and supporting local, state, and federal legislation that has an impact on deaf, deafened, and hard-of- hearing persons.
2. Developing a network of deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing advocates for public policy issues, working in conjunction with the National Association of the Deaf, Self-Help for Hard-of-Hearing (SHHH), and the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA), when appropriate.
3. Planning and implementing programs and resources that significantly include racial and ethnic deaf, deafened, and hard- of-hearing persons.
4. Providing financial assistance through the Office of Loans and Scholarships for persons preparing for deaf ministry.
G. We recommend that United Methodist Communications give priority to ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard- of-hearing persons by:
1. Continuing to advocate open and closed captioned video from their constituents as well as with their own resources.
2. Purchasing and using appropriate technology to communicate with deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons through its various media.
3. Considering use of computer bulletin boards to facilitate contact between deaf and hearing leaders.
4. Providing information and education about the technology of assistive listening devices (such as, but not linked to, audio loop and FM infrared systems), captioned video, and real-time computer assisted captioning for use in local churches and at meetings beyond the local church.
5. Helping spread the word through various media about successful models for deaf ministry and the necessary conditions supporting such effective models.
6. Continuing to develop and provide educational resources for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons (such as access to TDD's and computers).
7. Employing deaf and hard of hearing person in all phases of media production, including on-camera talent, that is relevant to deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
H. We recommend that all general agencies:
1. Evaluate all programs related specifically to deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons to identify whether these programs are by, with, and for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and to what extent the programs enable the deaf and hard-of-hearing person to be participating, contributing and resourceful persons in church and society.
2. Develop deaf ministries that recognize the particular diverse needs of various groups of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons (age, gender, race, language, culture, geographic location, and handicapping conditions).
3. Provide regular board and staff training on deafness and hearing loss and support groups for both.
4. Allocate staff time and other resources to increase their effectiveness in ministry by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons. Resources include, but are not limited to, interpreters, real-time computer assisted captioning, TDD's, and budget for captioning video materials.
5. Voluntarily comply with federal or state legislation that has a positive impact on the lives of deaf, deafened, and hard-of- hearing persons.
6. Develop affirmative action goals for the employment of persons with handicapping conditions including persons who are deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing.
I. We recommend that each annual conference:
1. Purchase a TDD for the conference office, train responsible staff to use it, and publicize the TDD number whenever the conference office telephone number is publicized.
2. Provide sign language interpreters at annual conference and other events within the conference.
3. Elect deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons as members to annual conference and as elected members to jurisdictional and general conference meetings, recognizing that adaptations to facilitate communications must be made.
4. Support, through its program agencies, education and awareness building about the varieties of ministry with deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons.
5. Set goals for new congregational formation and transformation with deaf persons; involve church development and redevelopment committees to find vacant churches or to build churches for deaf ministries.
6. Develop and maintain a census of deaf ministries within the annual conference.
7. Evaluate all programs related specifically to deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons to identify whether these programs are by, with, and for deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing persons and to what extent the programs enable the deaf and hard-of-hearing persons to be participating, contributing, and resourceful within their annual conferences, districts, and local churches.
Budget and Administrative Responsibility
The budget for the National Committee on Deaf Ministry shall be for the 1997-2000 quadrennium.
A. The budget for the Committee shall include expenses for members named in section V.C.3 and an adequate program budge to include identification of models and coordinating strategies for deaf ministry in The United Methodist Church.
B. The budget shall be $26,125 per year in the quadrennium.
C. It is recommended that funds be allocated for this budget to the National Committee on Deaf Ministries by the General Council on Finance and Administration, included as a line item in World Service, and administered by the General Board of Global Ministries.
Proposed Budget - 1997-2000
Meeting of members (15 members, 4 meetings) $ 50,000
Subcommittee meetings 25,000
Consultants (Research and other services) 10,000
Printing/mailing 10,000
Literature 5,000
Contingencies 4,500
Total $ 104,500
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21346-GM-NonDis-O$
1996 United Methodist General Conference