Looking to Social Inclusion

1. Looking to Social Inclusion Engaging with volunteers who are slightly different from the rest to create a sense of belonging

2. Social Inclusion • “Social inclusion recognises that many Australians are excluded from the opportunities they need to create the life they want,…” • “A socially inclusive society is one in which all Australians feel valued and have the opportunity to participate fully in our society” • Volunteering is one way that all people can participate, create sense of belonging, contribute and feel valued

3. Take home messages • Disability is only as limiting as we make it • Having volunteers who may have a disability or mental health issues does not create more work for you…you just need to learn to think differently!

4. Quote to guide us today “It is clear that there’s no limit to the scope of voluntary involvement of people with a disability as long as there are no barriers, real as in inaccessible workplaces, or artificial as in attitudes.”

5. Who are our volunteers?

6. Who has a disability? • Four million people in Australia or 18.5 per cent of the population have one or more disabilities • 3.1 per cent of the population have a mental health or behavioural disorder • Yet only 10 per cent of the total Australian workforce is made up of people with disability • The labour force participation rates for working-age people with disability was 54 per cent, compared to 83 per cent for working-age people without disability

7. The Benefits • The experience…what makes you smile? • Diversity • Increase accessibility • Build social capital • Increased understanding of the issues • Value added programs • Sense of purpose

8. David

9. The Challenges • Organisational Culture • Staff resistance and lack of understanding • Not perceived as core business • Perception of ‘too hard’

10. Organisational Culture • Have a clear DDA framework • Get to know what experience is already in the team • Build organisational knowledge • Volunteer Policy • Encourage open conversations

11. DDA Awareness • Disability awareness training • Be clear about why the training is being delivered • Use real life scenarios • Share stories • Encourage conversations • Establish goals

12. Developing your programs • Be clear about what you want to achieve • Establish expectations and goals • Be objective and honest • Identify what skills you need for the program • Be open to having others involved • Build relationships and establish understanding

13. Serena

14. Recruitment and Accessibility • Accessible programs • Open and targeted advertising • Managing enquiries • Focus on the skills you need • Involve others in the process • Understand the needs and expectations • Look at what people can do…not what they can not do

15. Lessons learnt • Do not be afraid to say no • Do not make promises you can not keep • Facilitate the relationships and ensure the expectations are clear

16. The Myths • “It will be expensive to have volunteers with a disability”  • “I would have to develop a special training program for ‘those’ volunteers” • “They will not be able to do the job” • “They will only be able to do really basic stuff”

17. More Myths • “Their health issues make them unsuitable as a volunteer as we need someone we can depend on” • “They will need special attention” • “They will not be covered by our insurance or the premiums will go up”