BECAUSE The United Methodist Church believes that all United Methodists are
full members of the church and is committed to ministry by and with
persons with handicapping conditions people with
disabilities; and
BECAUSE the churches are excused from compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990:
Public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctors' offices,
pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries, parks, private schools and day
care centers, may not discriminate on the basis of disability, effective
January 26, 1992. Private clubs and religious organizations are
exempt.
Auxiliary aids and services must be provided to individuals with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with disabilities so that they can have an equal opportunity to benefit, unless an undue burden would result.--From a synopsis prepared by the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
AND BECAUSE, despite sincere efforts on the part of the church, persons
with handicapping conditions people with disabilities are still
confronted by barriers to communications within and without
the church.
We call upon the church to:
*Increase its awareness...
*Use appropriate technologies to make essential communications accessible to
persons who are hard-of-hearing and deaf people who are
deaf and hard-of-hearing including:
Considering production of alternative versions of church-produced video, films
or other audiovisuals for persons who are hard-of-hearing and deaf and
persons who are partially sighted and blind at meetings for people
who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and people who are blind and partially
sighted.
Considering the use of assistive technologies for persons who are
hard-of-hearing and deaf and hard-of-hearing for
telephone communications.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21349-GM-R207-U
1996 United Methodist General Conference