I am a volunteer working at a faith-based institution. We recently
had a request to spend a signficant amount of money to install an
elevator in a two-story building to make the building more accessible
to one handicapped person who uses this building daily. The cost, of
course, is enormous, but as a faith-based institution we are seeking
ways to meet the needs of this person. We also think we may have
other disability needs we are yet unaware of, and would like to hire
someone to help us evaluate our physical building layout to suggest
what we might prioritize for our patron(s) and what options we have to
install devices (elevators, chair lift, etc) to meet those needs.
This part is key: We are also seeking some framework to help us
evaluate the need of the few handicapped patrons against using the
money to support the broader community. Clearly this is a major
ethical/moral/religious issue that we are grappling with and we'd like
some guidance on it. If we could find a consultant that could help
advise us on both the suggested physical plant changes and a framework
to help us make a clear decision that is fair to the broader community
and the handicapped patrons, we would be best served. We are in the
Raleigh, NC area so a local person (who would be affordable) would be
ideal. Thank you. |
Request for Question Clarification by
czh-ga
on
17 Nov 2004 18:44 PST
Hello ljb-ga,
Although churches are largely exempt from the provisions of ADA, there
are some situations where religious institutions must provide public
accomodation. It might be helpful if you could tell us more about the
specifics of the organization/institution you're involved with. The
following Q & A illustrates why this is important.
http://www.ada-infonet.org/ada-infonet/documents/general-documents/ada_faq.asp
Question: Do churches have any ADA responsibilities?
Answer: Yes, under Title I ?Employment.? Churches are exempt from the
Title III requirements. However, if a church rents space to an entity
that is covered by Title III of the ADA, then that Title III entity
does have ADA obligations that must be addressed.
Here is a 6-page paper that you might find helpful.
http://www.churchextension.org/planning/ADAImpsfortheChurch.pdf
ADA Implications for the Church
You may also find some excellent resources at some government Web sites.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
ADA Home Page
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/taprog.htm
ADA Technical Assistance Program
The Department of Justice ADA Technical Assistance Program provides
free information and technical assistance directly to businesses,
non-profit service providers, state and local governments, people with
disabilities, and the general public. Our technical assistance
services provide the most up-to-date information about the ADA and how
to comply with its requirements.
Our toll-free ADA Information Line provides information and free
publications about the requirements of the ADA including the ADA
Standards for Accessible Design. 800 - 514 - 0301 (voice) 800 - 514
- 0383 (TTY)
Good luck.
~ czh ~
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