FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kimberli Meadows
(202) 729-3238
KMeadows@PointsofLight.org

Jennifer Fauss
202-729-3234

Points of Light Foundation Releases Report on Engaging Persons with Disabilities as Volunteers

Washington, D.C. (July 23, 2002)—The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network has released a new evaluation report describing significant accomplishments and lessons learned on how to create inclusive service events, which effectively engage persons with disabilities as volunteers. The report is based on a year-long initiative, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, to maximize awareness of the full range of service days and offer multiple opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Through the grant, the Points of Light Foundation worked in partnership with Compeer Inc. and Volunteers of America to engage 20 Volunteer Centers and two state associations of Volunteer Centers in volunteer-service activities. The grant resulted in the participation of over 2,900 volunteers with disabilities in 60 service days. This recruitment number exceeds, by more than four times, the grant goal to engage 700 volunteers.

"This report represents what we hope will emerge as a successful process for including persons with disabilities that any organization can utilize when planning volunteer service activities," said Robert K. Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. "The outcomes align perfectly with our goal to engage more people in the vital work of contributing to their communities and helping solve serious social problems."

The evaluation report details many successes, including illustrations of how Volunteer Center grantee partners were able to effectively mobilize a group of volunteers who had never before been asked to serve. It includes information on the streamlined planning processes implemented to accommodate these new volunteers, ways to address the challenges for volunteers with disabilities, and how agency professionals who work with persons with disabilities were able to change their perceptions of the capabilities of their clients as a result of this project.

Other major grant achievements highlighted in the report are:

• The creation of training that educated over 127 organizations (205 individuals) on building capacity for the engagement of this specific group of volunteers into current programs and projects, and
• The development of at least 59 new or expanded partnerships with local, state or national organizations that support and advocate for persons with disabilities as resources in service.

Copies of the full document, Evaluation Report: Engaging Persons With Disabilities in Service, are available online. Additional resources for engaging persons with disabilities in service, such as the Best Practices Guide to Creating Inclusive and Accessible Days of Service, can be found at this site as well.