There shall be in each Annual Conference a Committee on Disability Concerns.
1. The basic membership of the committee shall be nominated and elected by established procedures of the respective Annual Conference. Each Annual Conference shall determine the number and composition of the total membership. Membership shall include persons with physical disabilities and persons with mental disabilities.
2. It shall be the responsibility of this Committee:
a. To be aware of the role of persons with disabilities in ministry, including ordained and diaconal ministries and local church and Annual Conference leadership positions.
b. To advocate for and help develop programs within the Annual Conference which meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
c. To be informed about current ministries within the Annual Conference that are related to persons with disabilities.
d. To develop ways to sensitize persons in leadership positions on issues that affect persons with disabilities and therefore the entire Church.
e. To foster cooperation among ministries within the Annual Conference that focus on specific disabilities (deaf/deafened/hard of hearing, development disabilities, mental retardation, mental illness, visual impairment, physical disabilities, etc.).
f. To be a resource for local churches who are attempting to develop ministries which are attitudinaly and architecturally accessible.
g. To promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the local church and the Annual Conference.
h. To participate in Jurisdictional Accessibility Associations in the sharing of knowledge and resources.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21472-CO-747-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference