The Volunteers with Disabilities Program at Volunteer Ottawa
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| The Volunteers with Disabilities (VwD) program serves both individuals with disabilities, and organizations. Our goal is to support non-profit organizations in tapping into the wealth of volunteers with disabilities that are available for their programs, assisting the organizations in engaging these volunteers and making their agencies accessible in a variety of ways. We also support people with disabilities in finding volunteer placements that are enjoyable and accessible.
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| We strive to support organizations in recognizing that accessibility comes in many forms, as we support the volunteerism of people with not only mobility and sensory impairments, but also cognitive, intellectual, and learning impairments—any impairment that results in disability and may require some creative accommodation to make an environment accessible!
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How we support organizations in utilizing volunteers with disabilities:
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Our primary goal is to support agencies in better engaging volunteers with disabilities (VwD’s). We accomplish this goal by offering:
- Over-the-phone support, suggestions, and referrals to organizations who are seeking to engage VwD’s, and/or who have questions about how to become more disability-friendly.
- Site visitations to organizations that would benefit from some insight into what would make their location more accessible.
- Workshops, for one or many agencies at a time, educating frontline staff and/or management about the value of VwD’s and simple ways to become more aware, accessible, and engaging.
- Presentations to an organization’s clientele on the VwD program and tips for volunteering when disability is a factor.
- The opportunity to become a Volunteer Ottawa member organization, which allows orgs to advertise for volunteers on our website; they can also indicate the accessibility of their program or location.
- Referrals of VwD’s to organizations that are known to be accessible for their range of ability.
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How Volunteer Ottawa supports volunteers with disabilities:
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Our secondary goal is to support volunteers with disabilities (VwD’s) in becoming engaged in volunteering by:
- Offering a database of volunteer opportunities that indicates which placements are listed as being accessible.
- Offering brief support to potential VwD’s who may need some tips on advocating for themselves, suggestions on disclosure, or any other concerns related to volunteering as a person with a disability.
- Offering one-on-one sessions in person for potential VwD’s who are struggling with an aspect of volunteering as a person with a disability.
- Offering workshops to VwD’s on volunteering, disclosing, confidence building, and strengths.
- Offering referrals to Volunteer Ottawa member organizations who are looking for volunteers and are willing to accommodate.
- Working with organizations to become more accessible for a greater range of disabilities so that volunteers can become engaged at these locations!
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| Please feel free to contact us any time to find out more.
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| Ulyana Zanevych
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| Volunteer With Disabilities Coordinator
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613-736-5266 x 157
disabilities@volunteerottawa.ca
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