Accessibility and Justice
Unitarian Universalists (UU) are committed to welcoming and affirming people of all abilities.
Nearly 50 million people (1 in 5 of the U.S. population) in the United States have a disability—visible or invisible, public or private. For everyone, whether having a disability or not, the environment in which we live, learn, play, sing, work, meditate, reflect, and pray must feel welcoming in order for everyone to grow and thrive. Here at All Souls we consider accessibility to be a justice issue.
Our Building and Accessibility
We rent our worship space from Congregation Ahavas Israel, a conservative Jewish congregation. The building/synagogue was built in the 1970s and it is fully accessible space because Accessibility and Inclusion is embodied in the Torah. The Torah proclaims there shall be no barriers and all people should be given access to fully participate in the practicing their faith.
Scent Free Zone
A Mindful Request: a reminder that some folks attending worship or other gatherings have strong physical reactions to fragrances and strongly scented products. These reactions can range from airways closing, to migraines, and some epileptics can react with having a seizure. None of us intentionally want to cause any of these reactions. So a kind reminder to give your perfumes and colognes a Sabbath Day. Let’s create a scent free zone for everyone.
Tips on Etiquette
Etiquette may seem a rather formal term to portray the give and take of our interactions with other people. And yet, etiquette really feels like the right word to use to describe the thoughtful, considerate behavior that we expect to receive from others and give to them.
Until you know someone with a disability, you may never have had reason to think about the key points that make relationships with someone who has a disability easier and more relaxed. With the intent to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for everyone, here are some basic ground rules we should all keep in mind. The links below will redirect you to our Unitarian Universalist Association’s webpages.
Etiquette tips for when you are with a person with a: