Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Exploring Episodic Service Engaging New Populations of Individuals, including People with Disabilities &Veterans Jason Wheeler Chad Gobert Paula Sotnik Thursday, March 14, 2013

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. The National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) is a Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) training and technical assistance provider.

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. National Partnerships Association of University Center on Disabilities Association on Higher Education and Disability Creative Training Solutions Rocky Mountain Human Services Operation TBI Freedom Virtual Ability

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Gentle Reminders… All lines have been muted Please ask questions, share ideas, and comments: Freely use the “Text Chat,” and/or “Q & A” fields to pose questions to the presenters, or even the audience We will occasionally pause for questions We have multiple opportunities for interaction and discussion The session will be recorded

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Webinar Overview Who are Episodic Volunteers? Why People Become Episodic Volunteers How Do We Create Inclusive Volunteer Opportunities? Engaging People with Disabilities & Veterans Legal Responsibilities for Inclusion Overview of Universal Design Strategies Applying Universal Design to Episodic Volunteer Opportunities

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Who are Episodic Volunteers? Using the whiteboard, please list one or two words to describe episodic volunteers.

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. What is Episodic Volunteering? … when volunteering (or service) occurs on a more sporadic, temporary and noncommittal basis. (Hustinx and Lammertyn, 2003: 168)

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Question … In your opinion, what are the top 3 reasons that people become episodic volunteers?

People who have not had opportunities to volunteer Individuals who require flexibility (work alone or in groups, nontraditional hours, remotely, etc…) Individuals who are interested in exploring career paths or gain employment skills Individuals who want to build self-confidence or develop social networks People interested in having a strong impact and return on their time People interested in volunteering for a shorter period of time or are “testing the water” prior to making a long-term commitment NSIP has found that a range of individuals, including people with disabilities, Veterans and Wounded Warriors, are interested in episodic volunteer / service opportunities:

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. How do we meaningfully engage this pool of interested individuals?

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. “ Disability” as Defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act & The Americans with Disabilities Act A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities A history or record of such an impairment Being regarded as having such an impairment, even when no limitations exist Someone who has an association with someone with a disability

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Access Provide equal access to programs, opportunities and benefits for qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable Accommodations A modification or adjustment to a service, environment, or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy an equal service opportunity. Alternative Format Providing materials in formats that are more usable or accessible to individuals with disabilities. What are our legal responsibilities?

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Communication and Supervision Materials, instructions and service expectations are able to be understood. Documentation and Record Keeping Maintaining clear and consistent documentation. Keep all medical and disability-related information in files separate from the standard member/volunteer file. Appeals Process Appeals process for disability-related issues and discrimination complaint procedures exist and are disseminated. What are our legal responsibilities?

Beyond Disability, Broadening Diversity with Universal Design Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning to recognize and accommodate individual learning, communication and working differences. Multiple means of representation to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge, Multiple means of expression to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know, and Multiple means of engagement to tap into learners' interests, challenge them appropriately, and motivate them to learn.

Volunteer Scenario A local shelter has reported an increase in families seeking supports and, at the same time, a decrease in food and monetary donations. In order to better serve the community’s needs, the shelter has scheduled a one-day event with the goal of providing food, clothing and other necessities for 14 families. Volunteer assignments will include: – Contacting a list of 15 organizations to request monetary or food/clothing. – Start a social media fundraising drive, letting people know about opportunities to donate. – Package donated, non-perishable foods for delivery to the shelter. – Inspect, sort and fold donated clothing.

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Universal Design & Universal Design for Learning How would you ensure: 1.Multiple Means of Representation? −various ways participants can acquire information and knowledge 2.Multiple Means of Expression? – alternatives for demonstrating what participants know 3.Multiple Means of Engagement? – tap into interests, challenge and motivate participants

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Your Volunteers Carla is a motivated Veteran and Wounded Warrior. She disclosed that she gets anxious in noisy places and sometimes has difficulty remembering tasks and directions.

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Your Volunteers Rick is an experienced volunteer with a significant intellectual disability. Even though he has successfully worked with shelters in the past, he does not read text.

Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Inclusion Check 1.Regarding pre-planning for the event, what were our strengths? 2.What adaptations and accommodations can we make now that we know our volunteers? 3.What additional universal strategies can be applied in the future to benefit additional volunteers?

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Inclusion: The active engagement of people with disabilities as service members and volunteers in all levels of national and community service. Contact Information: National Service Inclusion Project [V/TTY] Jason Wheeler: Chad Gobert: Paula Sotnik: