In partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association, Equual Access, the organization that promotes equality and access for Unitarian Universalists with disabilities, is pleased to announce the creation of a certification program for Unitarian Universalist Congregations. The program, with the working title Disability / Ability Action Program, challenges congregations to welcome, embrace, support, and integrate people with disabilities and their families into our congregations.
Its sacred covenant with congregations is that they fully recognize the humanity and gifts of all people. The Disability / Ability Action Program presents a plan to implement the ideas and principles outlined in Accessibility Guidelines for Unitarian Universalist Congregations. Congregations encouraged and inspired by Guidelines can receive formal recognition for their commitment and progress.
Congregations seeking certification will conduct an assessment of accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, create an action plan of worship, workshops and projects, have that plan approved by the Disability / Ability Certification Committee and then implement the plan. When the plan has been fully implemented, the congregation can vote to be recognized as a congregation with a Disability / Ability Action Program certificate.
The program will have a two-year field test scheduled to begin in June 2013. We are actively seeking congregations to be part of this field test. We will select congregations in different categories: small, large, old building, new building, renting, etc. The deadline for applying to be part of the program is May 24, 2013. For more information on the program and how to suggest a congregation, please contact:
Rev. Barbara F. Meyers, Chair, Equual Access Policy Committee
510-796-5722
bfkmeyers@prodigy.net
For the full announcement, link to Disability / Ability Action Program.