Petition to the General Conference, 2004,
The United Methodist Church

In accordance with the instructions for preparation of petitions,
the following is submitted for action by the General Conference, 2004.

PAGE NUMBER: Page 1 of 2

SUGGESTED TITLE/SUBJECT MATTER: Committee on Disability Concerns

PETITION CONCERNS: Discipline Paragraph 649

FINANACIAL IMPLICATIONS: None

PETITION TEXT:

Amend Paragraph 649 as follows to add neurological conditions to list of named disabilities:

There shall be in each annual conference a committee on disability concerns or other structure to provide for the functions of this ministry and maintain the connectional relationships.

  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, mental, and neurological conditions or disabilities.
  2. It shall be the responsibility of this committee:
    1. To be aware of, and advocate for, the role of persons with disabilities in ministry, including ordained and diaconal ministries and local church and annual conference leadership positions.
    2. To advocate for and help develop programs within the annual conference that meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
    3. To be informed about current ministries within the annual conference that are related to persons with disabilities.
    4. To develop easy to sensitize persons in leadership positions on issues that affect persons with disabilities and therefore the entire Church.
    5. To foster cooperation among ministries within the annual conference that focus on specific disabilities (deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, developmental disabilities, mental retardation, mental illness, visual impairment, physical or neurological conditions, disabilities, etc.
    6. To be a resource for local churches who are attempting to develop ministries that are attitudinally and architecturally accessible.
    7. To promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the local church and the annual conference.
    8. To participate in jurisdictional accessibility associations in the sharing of knowledge and resources.

DATE: November 24, 2003

SUBMITTED BY: Kathryn J. Johnson, on behalf of

PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION: Methodist Federation for Social Action
(endorsing petition as authored by GBCS)

TELEPHONE: 202-546-8806
FAX: 202-546-6811
E-MAIL: kj@mfsaweb.org

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