Resolved, that the Diocese of Arizona affirm and support the vision of its Program Group on Disability Concerns which states:

The universal call to holiness leads us to recognize that the Body of Christ is not whole when some members are not invited to full participation; therefore we envision that every person with disabilities will experience full inclusion in the parishes, missions, church properties and programs of the Diocese of Arizona; and be it further

Resolved,  that the Diocese of Arizona acknowledge the legacy of The Episcopal Churchs many legislative actions and program initiatives seeking inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church, and embrace the policies suggested by those legislative actions and program initiatives; and be it further

Resolved, that the Diocese of Arizona encourage each congregation to designate a person or persons to be particularly responsible for disability concerns within the congregation.

EXPLANATION OF RESOLUTION:

This resolution would affirm the vision statement of the newly formed Diocesan Program Group on Disability Concerns.  Central to this vision is the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Diocese and its congregations.

This resolution would also acknowledge that the Episcopal Church has a legacy of  numerous General Convention resolutions, policy statements and program initiatives that seek full inclusion of persons with disabilities, and  would commit the Diocese of Arizona  to aligning itself with these resolutions, policies, and programs.

Finally, the resolution would encourage each parish and mission to designate a persons or persons to be particularly responsible for disability concerns. Assigning responsibility is a critical step on the path toward actually achieving inclusion.