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Prepare for the Forum
Prepare for the Forum
The focus of the forum is informed conversation, not education.
In this way it is different from a workshop where you show up to be taught.
It is your responsibility to do the depth of education you need to engage in an
informed and compassionate conversation about this type of inclusion at the forum.
Educating ourselves ensures that those experiencing exclusion do not need
to educate those with privilege or endure expressions of ignorance.
Getting Started
Learn what Abelism is. One of the discussion questions at the forum will be about this so it is an essential concept.
2. Learn about the Ten Principles of Disability Justice
Intersectionality.
Leadership of Those Most Impacted.
Anti-Capitalist Politic.
Cross-Movement Solidarity.
Recognizing Wholeness.
Sustainability.
Commitment to Cross-Disability Solidarity.
Interdependence.
Collective Access.
Collective Liberation.
3. Learn about the Medical Model of Disability and the Social Model of Disability.
4. Glossary of Disability Terms and Mental Health Terms (to assist with your learning if helpful)
5. Watch interviews with UU’s living with a range of abilities and disabilities.
Out of respect for these UU's who have agreed to share their story within the UU community only, PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THESE LINKS.
Meet Catherine
Meet Catherine
In this video, she shares
her hidden disability
the role of cognitive stamina and sensory input
misconceptions about the impacts of brain injuries
how her disability opened her eyes to her privileges and identities
how to show up in a meaningful way
her hope for the future using Universal Design
leading with openness, curiosity, and creativity
Meet Barbara,
Meet Barbara,
(special guest speaker at the Forum)
(special guest speaker at the Forum)
In this video we learn
her story in mental health ministry
stigma, denial, healing
the dimensions of a person
how a congregations can be helpful
the sacred gift of presence
Meet Harold
Meet Harold
In this video, he shares
what it's like to accept his life with a MS
misconceptions about visible disabilities
how helping isn't always helpful
being seen for who he really is
being treat differently than his actual disability requires
Meet Gilbert
Meet Gilbert
In this video we learn
about his life with dyslexia
body language and emotional vocabulary as keys to navigating
the value of finding diverse ways to present information
Meet Hugo
Meet Hugo
In this video he shares
how fairly recently he became vision impaired
how his privileges helped him navigate the onset of his glaucoma
how a lot of church depends on visual information
the value of good relationships in a congregation
disability in a pandemic
Meet Ilara and Lyn
Meet Ilara and Lyn
In this video they talk about
Ilara's physical disabilities and Lyns learning disabilities
misconceptions and difficulties they've experienced
decolonizing disability
privilege of education in congregations (we are very wordy!)
how we share information is a barrier to inclusion
how to better host trainings, committee work
Meet Cadence
Meet Cadence
In this video Cadence shares
what it's like to live with juvenile arthritis and anxiety
how it feels to have an invisible disability
her understanding of her privilege
how her congregation supports her
her personal philosophy and advice to others
Meet Barb and Mark
Meet Barb and Mark
In this Video we learn:
about Mark's condition
how to make their visits to Toronto First easy and interactive
This video was produced by Toronto First in 2014 but holds valuable, relative and timely information. Mark died in 2017 and is greatly missed.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Want to Dig Deeper?
Reflection Questions:
What beliefs do you have about the following:
Energy levels/stamina people should have?
Resiliency levels that are considered high, average, and low?
What it means to be smart? stupid?
Self-sufficiency?
Asking for help? Receiving help? Giving help?
What is considered an "actual" disability?
Overcoming adversity?
Who is responsible for looking after someone living with a debilitating disability?
Where, how, or from whom, did you learn each of the above beliefs?
What biases and prejudices do you have as a result of your beliefs?
For instance: I was raised with a parent with a mental health condition that made it difficult for him to maintain employment and added a level of chaos to my life. Plus I was often a caretaker to him. Now as an adult, I find it challenging to be compassionate with my housemate who is struggling to maintain employment because of her mental health. This has resulted in her having a hard time paying her share of the rent and bills. This puts extra pressure on me and I have my own challenges to deal with, including pretty intense anxiety. Everyone struggles and I believe we need to find ways to overcome our struggles. We can't expect others to do it for us.
At The Forum
Review the Responsibility Covenant. To learn more about this check out the guide. Those of us with privilege, make this covenant to those living with this form of exclusion, so they can feel safer knowing we will be managing any discomfort that arises without projecting onto them.
Review the Community Covenant . We all make this covenant to each other regarding how we will interact with each other during the Forum.
Forum Discussion Questions:
These were discussed together at the forum.
How do the ableist biases you hold influence the ways you treat yourself and others?
How do those biases show up in how you co-create your UU culture? For instance in building design, governance, worship, leadership, welcoming, decision making, communications, involvement in congregational life, membership, and financial investment.
How can those with privilege dismantle some of our/their ways so that there are less barriers to inclusion for disabled people? You can enter your thoughts into this Padlet. Remember, you can add hearts to the suggestion you agree with and comment where a deeper discussion might be of use.
We welcomed Shelly Rohe as a special guest speaker.
Shelly is a disability Advocate and Activist. She is the Administrator of AIM (Accessible and Inclusion Ministry), a joint program with the UUA and EqUUal Access.Shelly lives in Rochester, MN where she works, volunteers, and is a freelance writer.
Here are the slides for her presentation.
We welcomed Community Minster Rev. Barbara F. Meyers as a special guest speaker.
Please watch her interview (above) to learn more about Mental Health Ministry and to ask Barbara any questions you may have.
Rev. Meyers has received a number of awards for the work of the Mental Health Ministry.
Want to Dig Deeper Still?
Want to Dig Deeper Still?
UU Resources
Mental Health Ministry & Workshops- Mission Peak UU Congregation- Rev Barbara Meyers
Held: Showing up for Each Other's Mental Health- Rev Barbara Meyers (book)
Caring Congregation Program (curriculum)
Mental Health related UU Resources- (sermons, videos, guides, sites, books)
Disability & Accessibility UU Resources ( guides, recommendations, sites, resources)
EqUUal Access (site)
Ableism, Liberatory Theology, & Disability Justice Workshop- UUA
Videos/Films
Disability Inclusion Training (3 min)
I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much- By Stella Young (Ted Talk)
My Autistic X Factor- Brynjar Karl (Tedx Kids)
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution- (Film)
Picture This: Everyone Gets It On (National Film Board)
Dylan Alcott accepts Australian of the Year Award 2022 (amazing speech)
Books/Sites
Still Living the Edges: A Disabled Woman's Reader By Diane Driedger (book)
The Micropedia (of Microaggressions)
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