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2,000th Congregation Welcomes People with Disabilities
National Organization on Disability Meets Ambitious Millennial Goal May 3
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Organization on Disability's Accessible Congregations Campaign celebrated meeting its target of 2,000 Committed Congregations on May 3, 2001. Since its inception as a millennial challenge two years ago, the Campaign has enlisted large and small congregations of many faiths across the country. Representatives from the first congregation to sign a commitment form, McLean Bible Church; the host congregation, Adas Israel Congregation; and the 2,000th congregation; will attend the press conference, together with advocates-with and without disabilities-from diverse congregations.
The 2,000 Congregations that have enrolled in the Campaign have committed to include people with disabilities into a full life of faith, including worship, study, service and leadership. They recognize that people with physical, sensory, and mental disabilities of any kind have gifts and talents to share with their congregations. In keeping with the campaign theme, "Access: It Begins in the Heart," these congregations commit to identifying and removing barriers of architecture, communications, and attitudes that limit the full participation of people with disabilities in their congregations. While the campaign's ambitious goal will be achieved on Thursday, the effort to enlist further congregations continues. Accessible Congregation Campaign information and the commitment form (plus a list of committed congregations by state, including after May 3 the identity of the 2,000th congregation) is available on the N.O.D. Web site.
WHO:
Diane Anderson, ACCESS MINISTRY, McLean Bible Church
Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlberg, Adas Israel Congregation
Members of the 2,000th Congregation (to be announced)
Judy Heumann, former Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Education
Alan Reich, President, National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.)
Ginny Thornburgh, N.O.D. Program Director, and Lorraine Thal, Program Coordinator
Members of committed congregations and disability advocates
WHAT:
The official announcement of the 2,000th Committed Congregation in N.O.D.'s Accessible Congregations Campaign. A celebration of the campaign's success.
WHY:
As in many other facets of American life, people with disabilities desire the opportunity to participate in religious life. 2,000 congregations to date have signed a commitment form to welcome and include children and adults with disabilities.
WHERE:
Adas Israel Congregation, 2850 Quebec St., NW, Washington, D.C. Near the Cleveland Park Metro station at the corner of Porter and Connecticut Streets NW.
WHEN:
Thursday, May 3, 2001, 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Brewster Thackeray, Director of Communications, National Organization on Disability
Phone: 202/293-5960
Cell: 703/508-4418