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Task Force on Accessibility and
Special Needs Church House Staff Contact The report below represents the Annual Report for 2004, presented to Council at the January 2005 Diocesan Convention and printed in the 2005 Journal and Directory. Diocese of Washington The Diocesan Task Force on Accessibility and Special Needs has been holding regular meetings throughout 2004. Members of the Task Force have continued with their initial premise that work on accessibility will not be limited to removing barriers solely in architecture but also deal with barriers of attitudes and communications. The Task Force name "The Task Force on Accessibility and Special Needs" is meant to emphasize this fact. The Task Force's goal is to submit a charter to the Diocesan Council for the establishment of a permanent committee in the Diocese of Washington. To that end, the Task Force has been busy compiling info rmation on all aspects of accessibility. The charter is currently a "work in progress" and is being drafted with the assistance of the Diocesan Governance Officer, Ann Talty. Robert Tomlinson, Property Manager for the Diocese has been the group's liaison with Bishop Chane's office. In early November, the Task Force mailed a survey to all parishes and missions to determine progress in the area of accessibility, and to give them a list of resources and suggestions. There was nearly a 50% return rate for this survey, which indicates a very strong level of concern and interest in fully welcoming the disabled in the Diocese of Washington. The Task Force has begun to assess the responses and plans to incorporate the info rmation gathered in its charter resolution. The Task Force has also made contact with other Dioceses that are active in this area, as well as the National Church , which has held two large meetings regarding inclusion of the disabled. There are plans to build awareness through information in the Washington Window, expansion of the link on the EDOW website, and open meetings throughout the Diocese. A list-serve and/or mailing list will be established. The chair of the Task Force would like to thank the members of the Task Force for their efforts over the last year. The members are Joy Belew, Duane Bonds, Iris Harris, Rudy Hines, Chris Llewellyn and Barbara Zangler. Mr. John Miers, Convenor
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