Volunteering and disability

Just because you're disabled doesn't mean you can't volunteer.

Although around 20% of people in the UK workforce have a disability of some kind, a recent survey found that only 6% of volunteers describe themselves as disabled. This figure may be changing soon, thanks to better access, changing attitudes, and widespread information. Traditionally, disabled people have benefited from the support of volunteers, but increasingly there are opportunities for them to get involved themselves, and use their skills to help others.

Making volunteering accessible

Organisations must understand that disabled volunteers are an untapped resource, with many under-used skills. Breaking down prejudices brings much-needed diversity to the workplace, and volunteers can experience the wide range of benefits that getting involved can bring.

Making the workplace more accessible has to be tailored to the individual volunteer. This can involve putting in ramps for wheelchair users, or supplying text phones, induction loop systems, large computer screens, sign language interpreters, dictation software, adapted keyboards, or Braille facilities. It's estimated that these adjustments cost on average less than £50 per volunteer. People who have disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome or mental health problems need to have flexible volunteering hours made available to them, and so on.

Volunteering success stories come from people who are registered blind, profoundly deaf, have learning difficulties or repetitive strain injury, or who use wheelchairs. There's something suitable for just about everyone, and it's usually a case of deciding what they want to get out of the experience, then matching them up with a suitable vacancy.

Into volunteering

Skill, the national bureau for students with disabilities, has an ongoing project aimed at making it easier for young people to volunteer. They have produced a booklet called 'Into Volunteering' which turns the stereotypical image of 'helpless' or 'passive' disabled people and their able-bodied carers on its head, then shows how disabled people themselves can volunteer. It contains profiles of all kinds of disabled volunteers discussing their own positive experiences, plus contact information and useful advice on how to get started.