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Disability projectBackgroundThere are approximately 8.5 million disabled people in the UK (19% of the working age population). Disabled people remain under-represented in the work place not only as paid staff but also as volunteers. Disabled people represent a very real source of untapped potential for organisations. Unconsciously, volunteer-using organisations may create barriers that prevent disabled people from volunteering effectively. Organisations may lack confidence and feel that their services are inaccessible to disabled volunteers. Negative stereotypes may also prevail. Disabled people may not have considered volunteering as an option; information and literature produced by organisations may not "speak" to disabled people as potential volunteers. Frequently popular images portray disabled people as recipients of assistance from volunteers rather than as individuals having valuable skills and experience that can be used to assist others. Volunteering can be an excellent way to do something of value on a local level, to use skills and learn new ones. It can serve as an opportunity to gain useful work experience and work references. It can also be a good way to meet new people. Disabled volunteers and volunteer-using organisations are often missing out. Support for disabled volunteersWe are actively working to dismantle barriers to volunteering for disabled people. Disabled volunteers are offered support, information and advice at all stages of the volunteering process. We have access to hundreds of volunteering opportunities at any one time, from administration to research, gardening to befriending, DIY to tutoring, catering or committee work, and many other options besides. We work with individuals to find a volunteering opportunity that's a good match for them. Other support we provide includes help with completing application forms, support when visiting volunteer-using organisations or during volunteer induction or training. We will provide information in a range of formats for volunteers on request, e.g. large print, Braille, audio cassette. Although IVAC is not fully accessible to wheelchair users, we have a fully accessible meeting room and wc. Support for organisationsWe provide a range of support to help organisations benefit from the skills and talents that disabled volunteers have to offer. Working with Disability Action in Islington, the provision of ongoing consultancy, training and advice to many volunteer-using organisations is a key part of our work in this area. The aim of this tailor-made support is to help organisations to develop accessible volunteer recruitment processes and a sustainable approach to successfully involving disabled people as volunteers. Our service to volunteer-using organisations is free of charge. Confidential interviewing space is available if required. Contact InformationProject Managers: Sister Ann Ugoh and Naa Lanfermann Tel: 020 7354 6186/6185 Fax: 020 7359 7442 To contact the Disability project, please email us. |
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