Final Blog Reviewing General Assembly by Guest Author Henry Amick

Springing four flights of steep steps. Bopping ’round to various workstations to bring encouraging treats and good cheer. And putting in ten-hour days.

Hard to imagine this was me in a world where it was still hard to imagine disabilities. Where I’d haggle folks to join me climbing the stairs. Where architects hide elevators to encourage step-ercizing. Where well-meaning liberals and liberal organizations (Unitarian Universalists among them) have/had significant opportunity to ensure our faith is accessible to all by systematically dismantling structural ableism.

Even General Assembly (GA) – the annual meeting of our association of congregations – is susceptible to overlooking means of access. But I can attest the GA Team (and Association more broadly) are trying – and making – strides.

Example: During the first multi-platform GA in 2019, the accessibility features limited my participation by requiring me to recruit one of my own friends to come over to my apartment to (acting as my eyes) navigate computer screens, all day and evening for the five days of GA. In blessed contrast, the 2022 GA allowed me to listen to some (but only some) of the conference sessions. Big improvement! And, as I am congratulating the GA Team, I am also letting them know what additional accommodation is needed for 2023.

Improvements in honoring the inherent worth and dignity of all person requires that folks a) speak up, b) are listened to by both those in authority and those not in authority (you?) and c) that the latter ask folks how they can help.

Now that you’ve asked, it has been suggested that you – especially the able-bodied youngsters? – create a QUUF Ableism Awareness & Accessibility Task Force.

You might still be bounding up whole flights of stairs or hiding elevators – but our faith reminds us that we are here (at least in part) to champion a more accessible, welcoming, empowering religious community. Go forth and climb!