Voluntary Sector Support Guidance

Diversify your volunteer base: People with disabilities

Overview

Disabled people are significantly underrepresented in volunteering, despite the many benefits it offers. In Horsham District alone, over 21,000 residents are disabled under the Equality Act. Many more live with long-term conditions that affect their ability to volunteer consistently.

Key Challenges and Barriers

Digital exclusion: Academic research has found that nearly 1 million disabled adults lack internet access
Health fluctuations: Conditions may affect availability or energy levels
Confidence and perception: Volunteering is often seen as inaccessible
Systemic barriers: Lack of inclusive recruitment and role design
Misunderstandings around benefits: Many don’t know they can volunteer while receiving disability benefits

Practical Suggestions for Engagement

Recruitment

Ask all applicants if they need adjustments – make it standard practice
Use varied communication channels (phone, email, in-person)
Keep in touch during onboarding to reduce anxiety
Promote the mental health benefits of volunteering
Provide clear information on volunteering while claiming benefits
Offer breaks during interviews and onboarding

Role Design

Create person-centred roles that can be adapted
Offer flexible and remote opportunities
Value contributions that don’t require regular commitment

Volunteer Experience

Provide handbooks and training in accessible formats
Share real-life stories of disabled volunteers
Use government funding to provide digital equipment to offer an alternative to face-to-face volunteering
Encourage interactions through buddy systems and inclusive decision-making
Gather (and act upon) feedback through surveys and chats – e.g. Annual Anonymous Surveys, Role Chats, Suggestions Book, Exit Surveys etc
Welcome volunteers back after periods of unwellness
Ask how volunteers would prefer information to be presented
Consider lighting, sound, and use plain English – avoid jargon!

Identity Considerations

Avoid viewing disabled people only through the lens of their disability
Recognise that not everyone with support needs identifies as disabled
Let individuals guide you on what support they need

Additional Resources for Further Reading

West Glamorgan Volunteering Support: Diversifying your Volunteers Toolkit - Page 22
NCVO – Volunteers who claim benefits
NCVO – Making Volunteering More Inclusive for Disabled People
Bridging the Digital Divide: Challenges and Opportunities for Disabled Adults in Volunteering – Page 32 (Guidelines for Reducing and Removing Digital Barriers for Disabled Volunteers)
Mencap – Disability Inclusion Toolkit – Pages 5-21 provide an Inclusion Audit which aims to help you identify your gaps in inclusion, page 27 provides further information on different types of disabilities