[nagdu] Advance Notification

[Cindy Ray]

A lot of churches are old and designed such that they are very difficult if not impossible to make accessible. Also, often the churches flat don't have the money to pull it off. Sometimes they make efforts that sort of work, but often it is just plain difficult for them to do what they need to do. They struggle with this, too, as many of their older members became increasingly unable to attend because of the lack of accessibility.

Cindy

On Apr 2, 2012, at 5:53 AM, Marion Gwizdala wrote:

> Lyn,
>   I cannot answer the question concerning other accessible designs for churches; however, the example you cite might also not be feasible because of the impractibility of putting in ramps due to the closeness of the sidewalks.
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 4:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Advance Notification
> 
> 
>> Marion,
>> Curious about churches and the ADA.  Does this mean that churches who want to rennovate their premeses don't have to be subject to the ADA in that they need to make their place wheelchair accessible?
>> 
>> Why I ask is that when I belonged to a small church, I was on the Church Council when we talked about making changes to the building and we were told that we had to put in an elevator or ramps to make the rennovated space accessible to wheelchair users.  We couldn't afford to do this and the ramps would have no physical space due to the closeness of the property to the street.
>> 
>> As to the dogs, there were several of us who had guide dogs and the church even put in a relieveing area for the dogs.  This church is very guide dog friendly - and disability friendly and they made changes to allow for the participation of people with all disabilities.  Only we were unable to provide total access to all buildings on the site since we had buildings built in the 1930s and rennovated in the 1950s.
>> 
>> Me, personally, wouold never attend a church where my guide dog wasn't welcome.  How can one worship the one they call a "shepherd of man (sheep?)" and then deny access to the very creatures made by God? Althouogh this church I was involved in was very welcoming to dogs and disabled, I left because the pastor was unwelcoming to LGBT folks - out ones - as I came out to be my real self and moved on.
>> 
>> I know that people will make whatever arrangements with their churches and that's fine.  I was surprised at the private clubs and churches not being obligated to be under the ADA rules about service dogs.  Guess I went to the right clubs and churches! LOL!  The people in these places all loved Jacob and Landon.
>> 
>> Lyn and Landon
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 4:41 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Advance Notification
>> 
>> 
>>> Cindy,
>>>   You were very wise to notify the church about your guide dog in advance. As you stated, clubs that are private in nature and churches are not subject to the provisions of the ADA.
>>> 
>>> Fraternally yours,
>>> Marion
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 8:19 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Advance Notification
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> I believe, Marion, that this is a good point. If some give advanced notification and some don't, then there is reasonably confusion. There is not only confusion for the companies/businesses, but actually for blind people as well. Do we or don't we?
>>>> 
>>>> I have signed up for a private retreat at a retreat center. I toyed with whether or not I should tell them. It is a church facility and not a public hotel really, so I did notify them in advance; that for me is a gray area and it is totally out of character for me to do it. They have no problem with my bringing him but were glad I said so. I think what made me do it was the notion that churches and the like are not necessarily considered public.
>>>> 
>>>> Cindy
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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