Tarjan Center, Service Inclusion Project
Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make sure that people with disabilities can access my volunteer site?

What is accessibility?
When most people hear the word "accessibility" they think of ramps, automatic doors, and elevators. While these provide some access, accessibility refers to all the features that make an environment accessible. Moreover, in most cases, accessible design is good design. Not only are accessibility standards designed to assist and benefit persons with a wide range of disabilities, including hearing loss, cognition, and visual impairments, but accessible design benefits everyone. Ramps make it easier for senior citizens, persons with children, and delivery persons to enter buildings. Wider doors and levered handles make it easier for everyone to negotiate doorways. Signage requirements make it easier for everyone to see and understand signs.
What are the five areas of accessibility?

    The term "access" or "accessibility" encompasses five different areas:
  1. Architectural. Architectural accessibility refers to the built environment and the means of getting to and from that built environment, whether it is from a parking lot, a bus stop, or the street. To assess your site’s Architectural Access, you might want to use the following checklists:
  2. Programmatic. Programmatic accessibility refers to the eligibility requirements, policies, or operating procedures that may be causing additional barriers to full and meaningful access.
  3. Technology. Technology access refers the myriad of ways individuals with disabilities use universal or specifically designed technology to overcome barriers to participation.

    It is important to consider accessibility in your website. For good information on web accessibility visit these three websites:
  4. Communication. Communication Access means providing the technology or services necessary to facilitate equivalent communication with volunteers with hearing, speech, cognitive or learning disabilities. E.G. A sign language interpreter.
  5. Alternate Formats. For people with visual impairments, written material needs to be provided in alternate formats, such as Braille, text file or audiotape.
While it may not always be possible to achieve complete accessibility, a truly inclusive environment continuously strives to increase its level of accessibility.

For more information on Accessibility read Creating an Inclusive Environment: A Handbook for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in National and Community Service Programs
Or read A Model for Accessibility or Making Accessibility Real

This text was adapted with permission from Creating an Inclusive Environment: A Handbook for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in National and Community Service Programs Published through Corporation for National and Community Service Cooperative Agreement #95CA000031 in January 2004 - First Edition.


Back to FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

    For Programs Looking to Include Volunteers with Disabilities
  1. What are my legal obligations surrounding including and accommodating volunteers with disabilities?
  2. Do volunteers with disabilities need special types of supervision?
  3. I'm worried about saying the wrong thing to people with disabilities. What are the basics I should know?
  4. Will all volunteers with disabilities need special assistance to volunteer?
  5. How do I recruit people with disabilities to my program?
  6. How can I make sure that people with disabilities can access my volunteer site?
  7. Should I create special volunteer opportunities just for people with disabilities?
    For Individuals Looking to Volunteer
  1. How do I decide where to volunteer?
  2. Should I disclose that I have a disability?
  3. If I apply for AmeriCorps could I lose my federal aid?

Guides and Learning Materials

    Are you looking for information about Disability Etiquette?
  • Disability Etiquette: Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities [PDF] 
  • People First Language [PDF] 
  • Words with Dignity [PDF] 
  • Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities [PDF] 
    Are you looking for information about Accessibility?
  • A Model for Accessibility [PDF] 
  • ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities [PDF] 
  • ADA Guide for Small Businesses [PDF] 
  • Making Accessibility Real: A Guide to Planning Meetings, Conferences and Gatherings [PDF] 
    Are you looking for information about Reasonable Accommodations?
  • National Service Inclusion Project’s Fact Sheet on Reasonable Accommodations [PDF] 
  • National Service Inclusion Project’s Step by Step Process for Providing Reasonable Accommodations [PDF] 
  • Accommodations and Supports for Including Special Populations in Leadership and Decision Making Activities [PDF] 
    Are you looking for information about Essential Functions?
  • National Service Inclusion Project’s Fact Sheet on Essential Functions [DOC] 
    Are you looking for information about Self Disclosure?
  • Disabilities and Self Disclosure [DOC] 
    Are you looking for general information about Including Persons with Disabilities in Service?
  • Creating an Inclusive Environment: A Handbook for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in National and Community Service Programs Visit Website 
  • Inclusive Recruitment Practices [DOC] [PDF]
  • Ways to Motivate, Engage, and Keep Members [DOC] [PDF]

Do you have suggestions for other topics and resource materials surrounding including volunteers with disabilities? Please contact us.