Network USP Inclusive will become U-AccessAbility!

July 2025

For quite some time, we have been struggling with ‘Network USP Inclusive’ as the name of our employee network. We regularly receive feedback, comments or questions about the name from members and non-members alike. From all of this, it has become apparent that the current name evokes associations to things other than what we focus on as a network. To acknowledge the provided feedback we therefore introduce our new name: ‘U-AccessAbility’.

In March, we asked you to contribute your thoughts on our proposed name U-Ability. We received many valuable responses, which we carefully reviewed and discussed within the core team. Your input prompted us to reconsider the name. We would like to explain how – thanks in part to your involvement – we found a new, more appropriate name: U-AccessAbility.

 

Many of you pointed out that the name U-Ability places strong emphasis on the word ‘ability’ which also draws attention to ‘disability’. As a result, the name evoked associations we had not anticipated beforehand. From an international perspective, the name could even have the opposite effect of what we are aiming for: it could contribute to ableism (validism). We take these signals seriously, which is why we decided not to use the name U-Ability.

 

The valuable suggestions you provided for an alternative name helped us find a suitable new name: U-AccessAbility. This way, we respond to the desire to focus the name primarily on the network’s purpose – rather than (exclusively) on the target group.

 

Clarification of the name U-AccessAbility

  • Accessibility as the central goal – The word ‘Access’ clearly emphasizes access or accessibility, which aligns with the purpose of our network: creating an inclusive workplace, removing barriers, and combating ableism.
  • Dual meaning: ‘U’ as in ‘you’ and ‘Utrecht’ – The ‘U’ can feel personal (you have access and this network is about you) or institutional (this network in Utrecht works on accessibility within organizations), which appeals to a wide audience. Also, the ‘U’ stands for Utrecht, the place (city/province) where our organizations are located. This way, we better involve the organizational parts in the city center (UU) and Amersfoort (HU), compared to the name Network USP Inclusive, which focuses mainly on the Utrecht Science Park.
  • It is an English name that reflects the core of our network. Our main language will continue to be Dutch, all communication will be bilingual.

In our opinion, this name could remove the following stumbling blocks:

  • No more ‘Network’ in the name: this is perceived as a unfamiliar term, especially by younger generations.
  • No more ‘Inclusive’ in the name: this is perceived by many to mean that our network is also about gender, queer, cultural, religious and other diversity groups.

It takes time to implement the new name. In the coming months we will therefore continue to use the current name. You will see U-AccessAbility in more and more places. We will officially launch the new name in the fall, more information will follow. From the moment of the launch all communication will take place under the name U-AccessAbility.

 

We are convinced that this name change will benefit our employee network. Therefore, we hope that you as a member also feel comfortable with this name. We are always open to feedback and happy to listen to your thoughts. Please feel free to reach out to us.