Whereas, society is becoming increasingly sensitive and aware of the rights of persons with disabilities; and
Whereas, The United Methodist Church has continued to recognize the rights of persons with disabilities through the adoption of resolutions by recent General Conferences, the establishment of programs, and the creation of agencies and other bodies which focus on ministry with persons with disabilities; and
Whereas, despite the exemption of religious organizations and private clubs from the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the 1992 General Conference adopted resolutions agreeing that The United Methodist Church will voluntarily comply with the ADA; and
Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has been described as the most important piece of civil rights legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and
Whereas, Annual Conference Committees on Disability Concerns need resourcing and networking with such committees in other conferences such as has proven beneficial in the North Central Jurisdiction; and
Whereas, the 1992 Discipline (¶ 630) says that "In each jurisdiction there may be jurisdictional program agencies related to the general program agencies and the appropriate Annual Conference program agencies,"
Therefore, there shall be added in this section of the Discipline a new paragraph which states: There shall be created in each Jurisdiction an Accessibility Advocates Association to share knowledge and resources about disability concerns. Membership shall include representative members from each of the Annual Conference Committees on Disability Concerns in their Jurisdiction (or from Divisions on Health and Welfare Ministries where Disability Concerns committees have not yet been formed).
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21673-CO-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference