An increasing number of people with a disability are looking for ways to engage with their communities and become more socially active. Many are looking for flexible and accessible volunteering opportunities in organisations that recognise their capabilities, not their disabilities.
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Who are they?
One in five people, or 20 per cent of the Australian population experience a disability according to the ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003.
A disability could include:
- a visual or hearing problem
- a physical disability
- mental health issues
- an intellectual disability
- an acquired brain injury
- an illness or disease
- a learning difficulty.
Why involve people with a disability in your organisation?
People with a disability bring personal and professional qualities and skills, shaped by their own unique life experience. The benefits include:
- access to a larger pool of volunteers
- a more diverse group of volunteers that can offer a wider range of skills, experience and motivation
- a volunteer team that reflects the diversity of the larger community
- increased opportunities to develop community partnerships
- improved understanding of diversity and inclusive practice among your staff.
Why do people with a disability get involved?
People with a disability volunteer to:
- help others or make a contribution
- meet people and make friends
- learn new skills an
What changes can your organisation make?
To become more volunteer-friendly and accessible to people with a disability:
- Create an inclusive environment – offer disability awareness training and improve physical access.
- Concentrate on ability rather than disability. Don't assume what people can or can't do. Think of what people could achieve if they had adequate support and mentoring.
- Listen to the volunteers - they understand best how to manage their impairment
- Reassess your volunteering programs. How could they be done differently?
- Make sure volunteers feel part of the team.
- Ensure policies and practices are not discriminatory.
Tips for attracting people with a disability
Attract volunteers with a disability by:
- Building relationships with community groups that involve people with a disability.
- Promoting volunteering in ways that include people with a disability. Consider advertising in publications that target people with a disability. Mention in advertising that people with a disability are welcome as volunteers.
- Ensuring recruitment processes are user-friendly - have someone to help people fill out the application form.
- Being clear and consistent about the volunteer's role and responsibility to the organisation. However, have some flexibility around role descriptions.
- Matching the 'role to the volunteer' instead of 'volunteer to the role'.
Links
Disability Services
Volunteering Queensland
Volunteering Australia
Resources
Fact sheet - Involving people with a disability as volunteers
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