Most National Service Programs are ready, willing, and able to support qualified individuals with disabilities as active members and volunteers.  These programs hold events in accessible settings, they offer materials in alternative format, willingly offer reasonable accommodations upon request, and maintain an inclusive atmosphere, which welcomes and values everyone who chooses to serve.

In spite of the information presented above, a significant barrier to the recruitment of qualified individuals exists: many programs have had a difficult time simply locating qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in serving.  The environment is ready, the message has been developed, but often the target audience is not reached.  With this in mind, NSIP Inclusion weekly would like to share the following resources with you:

Resources for Finding Qualified People with Disabilities (NOD): The National Organization on Disability has complied a list of organizations assisting those interested in hiring people with disabilities.  This can be found here.

Disability-Related State Resources (NICHCY): The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) compiles disability-related resources in each state, the organizations found in these sheets can be utilized to distribute information about your programs to many individuals with disabilities through program which provide services to them. These resource sheets can be found at: http://www.nichcy.org/states.htm

Sincerely,
Joe Tierney
Training Specialist
National Service Inclusion Project
888-491-0326
nsip@umb.edu
http://www.serviceandinclusion.org