To address this problem, board members who created the ADA laws are meeting to discuss revision of a new version of the bill that will be pass by congress later in 1999. If this bill is passed, depending on how it is worded, it could mean the closure of churches until they meet the ADA standard. What is not being said is if the ADA will accommodate churches needs for longer reverberation times. At this time, the board is looking at low noise standards, speech to noise ratios and speech to reverberation ratios. What is also not clear is if these standards will be retroactive and if it is, how much time will churches be given to comply.
Churches are unique in their sound needs.
The ADA standards are believed to apply from school classrooms, lecture halls, concert halls, school gyms and to all public gathering places. This standard could also apply to Bars and Clubs. If this is the case, those standards may be such that it will restrict how churches can conduct their worship services. Even OSHA is looking at sound levels in some churches, suggesting limiting the loudness of the sound system. This is a first step in big brother moving into churches from the back door.