As UUs, our eighth principle calls us to fight for systemic change against oppression. While we don’t all have the platform of Rev. Dr. William Barber, we can all advocate in our own way. May your new year be full of opportunities to affect change and excellent movie experiences!

Despite the bright, twinkling lights and the chiming bells, some of us are full of grief, fear, and pain. We believe there should be a time to honor these feelings as well.

The more I fill my life with people who love me for who I am, the more I’m able to unmask my autism, be open about my blindness and my depression, and freely share my gender and sexuality.

In order to dismantle the systems of oppression that not only deny access, but also inhibit our bodily autonomy we must directly challenge the status quo.

Learn about inclusion and accessibility, and the importance of providing captions or sign language interpreters. Discover ways to promote the rights of deaf people and access to education and technologies. Understand that deaf and hard of hearing individuals are just as capable and able.

In honor Deaf Awareness Month may you consider all the many blessings and gifts that we receive from the deaf community and be mindful of deaf inclusion in your congregation and all spaces every day of the year.

The ADA is a civil rights law that provides broad, legal protections for disabled Americans. Signed by president George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990, it was the culmination of decades of steadfast advocacy by thousands of disabled activists, including leaders like Judy Heumann and Brad Lomax.

The seventh in our Skill Up series was a BIPOC panel with Rev. Marisol Caballero, Ayanna Kafi, and Mackenzie MacDade in June 2023. The webinar explored the intersectionality of being BIPOC and neurodivergent. Both of these identities require navigating systems that were not meant for them....

Treating zoom participants equitably and caringly in multiplatform worship is an expression of love and justice that can transform the community. Includes discussion questions for a self-led workshop.

Read and suscribe to UPLIFT Action, our newsletter uplifting accessibility in and beyond Unitarian Universalism.

UPLIFT Access blog is for “Uplifting Accessibility In and Beyond Unitarian Universalism.” UPLIFT Access is a platform for the UUA to highlight LGBTQ accessibility and disability justice featuring related programming, reflections, and content circulated in our quarterly email newsletter.

In March of 2023 we were joined by Mackenzie McDade who shared her experience of ADHD as a person and Religious Educator. This presentation will highlighted the assumptions that people make about ADHD and how those assumptions prevent us from providing meaningful lifelong ministry to those with...

We welcomed Rev. Leela Sinha (ze/zim/zir) to share about zir Sinha Intensive/Expansive Framework to describe a variety of ways people’s brains, energy patterns, and work and play styles differ. Ze uses this framework in coaching individuals and teams in embracing their strengths and...

This panel presentation focused on supporting neurodivergent children and youth. Tie Resendiz, Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao, April Rosario, and Meredith Plummer joined us. Between them they have extensive experience across many kinds of neurodivergence and decades of experience with...

Meredith Plummer's presentation is titled "Trapdoors and Treasures: The Undiagnosed Autistic in Congregational Leadership." She has served as the Director of Lifespan Faith Development at the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati since 2009. Please find the talk and Q&A session...

Dr. Ramon Selove discusses his experience in congregational life, with direct applications for neurodiversity inclusion.

In our first interview with Heather Petit we talked about everything from a definition of neurodivergence, models of disability, communication, and much more.

A memorandum of understanding building on the historic partnership between EqUUal Access and the UUA ensures more resources and staff to address ableism within Unitarian Universalism and to support equity in the engagement of disabled people in society as a whole.

Disability advocates remind us that multiplatform worship in real time, with the chance for some interaction, creates a meaningful experience for those participating online.

The five of us have all known for some time that we, collectively, need to learn how to do a better job welcoming and fully including neurodivergent people in our congregations. As UUA and UUMA staff, we haven’t known how to do this or how we should help.