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Disability Inclusion

Recruiting and engaging Virginians with disabilities in volunteer service is fundamental to our mission to "provide service opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds." Persons with disabilities contribute a wide range of talents to our communities and desire opportunities to serve in significant ways. In addition, successful organizations strive to assemble a wide and diverse volunteer force into their service efforts, part of which means including persons with disabilities. According to the latest U.S. Census, over 49 million men, women and children of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, economic levels and religious affiliations have some form of disability, many of which take the form of hidden disabilities. Hidden disabilities include mental and cognitive disabilities, some hearing and visual impairments, alcoholism and addiction, Epilepsy, Diabetes, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Virginia AmeriCorps

• See and hear the stories of Americorps members with disabilities.
• Read testimonials on ways members are serving their communities through AmeriCorps.

Partners

The Office on Volunteerism and Community Service (OVCS) leverages partnerships that advocate for persons with disabilities so their lives are enhanced from the benefits of volunteerism.

• The Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) provides opportunities for all Virginians to engage in service. In concert with DRS, networks of associations throughout the state match persons with disabilities with volunteer opportunities. The Workforce Networks are groups of businesses, volunteer organizations, and job or rehabilitative specialists. Currently, eighteen Workforce Networks exist across the state to share information on clients and opportunities. If you are a director or manager of a nonprofit organization or volunteer program (national or community service), review the contact list of Workforce Network managers and find the network nearest your organization. They can assist you in identifying prospective volunteers (AmeriCorp members or traditional volunteers) to recruit for your program. If you are a prospective AmeriCorp member and would like further assistance or information, please contact the program manager for the program that interests you (AmeriCorps program listings).
• The Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are non-residential places of action and coalition, where persons with disabilities learn empowerment and develop the skills necessary to make lifestyle choices. Centers provide services and advocacy to promote the leadership, independence, and productivity of people with disabilities. Centers work with both individuals as well as with the local communities to remove barriers to independence and ensuring equality of persons with disabilities.
• University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is a network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. Virginia's UCEDD is located at Virginia Commonwealth University and is called the Partnership for People with Disabilities.
• Virginia Board for People with Disabilities assists Virginians by promoting and guiding public policy changes that create opportunities for new approaches in service delivery systems for persons with disabilities. The Virginia Special Education Network is a grassroots communications network created by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and State Special Education Advisory Committee (SSEAC). Parents, transition-aged students, educators, and others in your community who work with the disabled are encouraged to join the network. For additional information, contact Tom Driscoll at (800) 846-4464, e-mail: thomas.driscoll@vbpd.virginia.gov.
• Virginia Easy Access is a new Web resource for seniors and adults with disabilities. The site provides information about public benefits and programs for individuals and caregivers, allowing them to search for specific services in their communities.
• The National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) which provides OVCS technical assistance, training, and product dissemination.