• UUA Accessibility Resources

The Rev. Devorah Greenstein
Program Coordinator for the Office of Accessibility Concerns
(617) 948-6451  Click here to email Devorah Greenstein.

The Office of Accessibility Concerns works to cultivate and institutionalize a theology of wholeness and justice. Working in partnership with religious professionals, and lay leaders, the goal is total accessibility so that people living with physical, sensory, emotional, and cognitive disabilities can fully participate in worship, study, service, and leadership. The Office of Accessibility Concerns develops educational materials, worship resources, and offers consultative services, working with UUA staff groups, districts, congregations, and individuals to eliminate attitudinal, architectural, and institutional barriers at every level.

Here are some helpful UUA web pages regarding accessibility:

• Accessibility / Equal Access
• Disability 101
• Creating a Welcoming Environment
• Accessibility in Congregational Life
• Worship Resources for Accessibility / Equal Access

UU Mental Health Ministry. This is a ministry focusing on mental health issues run by UU Community Minister The Rev. Barbara F. Meyers. Click here to open a new window for www.mpuuc.org/mentalhealth/.

• Community Accessibility Resources

Independent Living Centers are typically non-residential, private, non-profit, consumer-controlled, community-based organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with all types of disabilities. Their goal is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential within their families and communities.  Many states and localities have their own Independent Living Centers.  A national web site has a database that can help you locate local centers. Click here to open a new window for www.ilusa.com.

National Organization on Disability (NOD) The mission of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is to expand the participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. Click here to open a new window for www.nod.org.

Government Disability Information gives on-line access to comprehensive information about disability programs, services, laws and benefits provided by the government. Click here to open a new window for www.disabilityinfo.gov.

Disabled Community.org a clearinghouse of disability resources and information designed to help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, their friends, caregivers and social service agencies. Click here to open a new window for DisabledCommunity.Org.

•  Major Organizations for Disabilities

- Visual Disability

Two major national level consumer organizations of the blind: American Council of the Blind and National Federation of the Blind.
Click here to open a new window for www.acb.org.
Click here to open a new window for www.nfb.org.

The American Foundation for the Blind. Click here to open a new window for www.afb.org.

- Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Association of America, the leading consumer organization representing people with hearing loss. Click here to open a new window for www.hearingloss.org.

- Mental Health

National  Alliance on Mental Illness. This is the major mental health advocacy organization in the United States. Click here to open a new window for www.nami.org.

Mental Health TV Shows.  These are public access TV shows produced by The Rev. Barbara F. Meyers.  They can be downloaded and watched from the MPUU.org website. Click here to open a new window for www.mpuuc.org/mentalhealth/mentalTVshow.html.

- Mobility

Mobility International, USA, Empowering people with disabilities around the world to achieve their human rights through international exchange and development. Click here to open a new window for www.miusa.org.

Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. Click here to open a new window for www.mda.org.

American Heart Association has a mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Click here to open a new window for www.americanheart.org.

Multiple Sclerosis Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Click here to open a new window for www.nationalmssociety.org.