The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That the Task Force on Accessibility of this Church be commended and authorized to continue its work and ministry of providing leadership, training and education throughout this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention again calls on the dioceses which have not yet done so to convene committees on disability concerns; and be it further

Resolved, That local vestries be encouraged to conduct accessibility surveys of their buildings with the assistance of people trained in this field and to designate a person or persons to be particularly responsible for disability concerns; and be it further

Resolved, That all Episcopal Church properties and all Episcopal Church meeting places be made (so far as possible) accessible to persons with disabilities and barrier-free; and be it further

Resolved, That this Church promote the hiring of qualified persons with disabilities within its own structures and within society at large; and that each parish seek as a first step for one person with a disability; and be it further

Resolved, That qualified persons with disabilities not be disqualified for postulancy, for Holy Orders, for ordination or for further employment in the Church solely on the basis of their handicaps; and be it further

Resolved, That persons in leadership roles of this Church be encouraged to participate at community, state and national levels in advocating legislation that will assist persons with disabilities; and be it further

Resolved, That the liturgies, Christian education programs and other forms of meetings throughout this Church be designed for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, using such means as captioning and interpreters for the deaf; and be it further

Resolved, That each church seek to focus on awareness/educational issues related to persons with disabilities including informing themselves about architectural and attitudinal barriers which prevent full participation of persons with disabilities in congregational life; and be it further

Resolved, That this Church at national, diocesan and local places encourage and support the assumption of leadership roles in both church and community by qualified persons who have disabilities.