[nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness

Fri Oct 30 16:32:06 UTC 2009

Hi,
I think churches ARE subject to the ADA when they make structural changes to 
their phsyical properties.

My church was built in the early 1930s and, in many ways, it is impossible 
to make our church and parish house completely accessible to wheelchair 
users.  To do so would mean a cost so high that the church would be 
bancrupt.

We have, however, made the changes we could to be as accessible as possible. 
There's a ramp to the sanctuary as well as a clear spot in the pews for 
people in wheelchairs.  The parish house is a different story because there 
are stairs leading upstairs to the main room.  We have one of those chair 
lifts that go up a rail on the stairs.  Our only accessible bathroom is in 
there.

We do feel bad we can't do more, but we do as much as we can.  Fortunately, 
our members who use wheelchairs can get out and walk a but with assistance. 
We do have Braille and large print bulletins and worship Orders of Service. 
The hymns are printed out in these bulletins for us.

But, back to ADA, churches are just as subject to it as any other building. 
I know this for sure because the issue came up while I was still on our 
Church Council.  BTW, when our church redid its landscaping, they made a 
nice relief area for our guide dogs!  The pastor even e-mailed us guide dog 
users to tell us about it!

Cheers,

Linda and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness

> been there and did that. Am not happy with the answer though.  All of the
> houses of worship I have been to make every accommodation for access, 
> wheel
> chair ramps, even Braille hymnals or at least ask if I would prefer such
> never has my guide dog been an issue either. So by default, and most
> probably due in part to what churches and synagogues offer, they always
> welcome me and doxy.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:38 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness
>
> Albert,
>    Please see my reply to Jenine's message. religious organizations are
> exempted from the provisions of the ADA.
>
> Fraternally yours,
> marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:25 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness
>
>
>> Very correct on that one.
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York  10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who 
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Jenine Stanley
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:13 AM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness
>>
>> Technically, I believe churches do need to comply with the ADA in the
>> spaces
>> open to the general public. I could be wrong on that one, but I'm pretty
>> sure it is correct.
>>
>> Jenine Stanley
>> jeninems at wowway.com
>>
>>
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