How can you support volunteers with disabilities?
Volunteers with disabilities can bring valuable skills, perspectives, and experiences to your organization. However, they may also face barriers and challenges that affect their participation and engagement. As a volunteer manager, you can support volunteers with disabilities by creating an inclusive and accessible environment, providing reasonable accommodations, and fostering a culture of respect and appreciation. Here are some tips on how to do that.
The first step to support volunteers with disabilities is to assess the accessibility of your physical and virtual spaces, your communication channels, and your policies and procedures. Accessibility means that everyone can access and use your facilities, services, and information without undue difficulty or discrimination. You can use accessibility checklists, audits, or surveys to identify and address any gaps or barriers that may prevent volunteers with disabilities from joining or performing their roles. You can also consult with volunteers with disabilities or disability organizations to get their feedback and suggestions.
The second step to support volunteers with disabilities is to provide reasonable accommodations that enable them to perform their tasks effectively and comfortably. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications that remove or reduce barriers or difficulties that volunteers with disabilities may encounter. For example, you can provide assistive devices, flexible schedules, alternative formats, or additional training. You can ask volunteers with disabilities what accommodations they need or prefer, and work with them to find the best solutions. You can also review and update your accommodations regularly to ensure they are still relevant and effective.
The third step to support volunteers with disabilities is to foster a culture of respect and appreciation that values their contributions and recognizes their potential. Respect means that you treat volunteers with disabilities with dignity, courtesy, and fairness, and that you avoid stereotypes, assumptions, or judgments based on their disability. Appreciation means that you acknowledge and celebrate the skills, talents, and achievements of volunteers with disabilities, and that you provide them with opportunities for growth and development. You can foster a culture of respect and appreciation by providing positive feedback, mentoring, recognition, and inclusion in decision-making and social activities.
The fourth step to support volunteers with disabilities is to educate yourself and others about disability issues, rights, and best practices. Education means that you learn and share accurate and relevant information about disability, and that you challenge myths, misconceptions, or prejudices that may exist in your organization or community. You can educate yourself and others by attending workshops, webinars, or courses on disability awareness, sensitivity, or inclusion. You can also invite volunteers with disabilities or disability experts to share their stories, insights, or recommendations.
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Soumeya LERARI MOUZAI
Tenders & Proposals Coordinator | Market Research | Women's Rights | Migration
I found essential not to pretend to be a "know-it all" because you have followed a manual on "inclusivity" and don't hesitate to ask before hand the best arrangements that would work for your specific situation, would it be for a workshop, a panel-like event or else. Also, do not assume that disability is only physical, while this seems obvious, many organizations focus on the space or tools to cater to common physical disabilities but overlook the rest of the spectrum of cognitive and mental disabilities.
The fifth step to support volunteers with disabilities is to communicate effectively and respectfully with them. Communication means that you use clear, concise, and appropriate language, tone, and methods when interacting with volunteers with disabilities, and that you listen actively and attentively to their needs, preferences, and feedback. You can communicate effectively and respectfully by using person-first or identity-first language, depending on the preference of the volunteer; by asking before offering help or assistance; by using accessible and inclusive communication tools and platforms; and by following up and following through on your commitments.
The sixth step to support volunteers with disabilities is to collaborate and network with them and other stakeholders who are involved or interested in disability issues. Collaboration means that you work together with volunteers with disabilities and other staff, partners, or supporters to achieve common goals, solve problems, or create change. Networking means that you connect and engage with volunteers with disabilities and other disability organizations, groups, or advocates to exchange information, resources, or opportunities. You can collaborate and network by creating or joining committees, teams, or coalitions; by organizing or attending events, meetings, or forums; or by promoting or advocating for disability causes or initiatives.
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