About this resource
Volunteering is a way to help, learn and meet people. This Easy Read guide explains what volunteering is, why people do it, kinds of volunteering, how to start and support available, with space to plan.
Purpose
To help people explore volunteering.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Disability support workers. Also relevant for NDIS providers and support coordinators, community services and case workers.
Client or participant group: Adults with intellectual disability or low literacy.
Practice setting: Home, day programs and community access.
Suggested uses
- Community participation goals
- Exploring work skills
- Building connection
- Day program planning
Instructions for practitioners
- Explore the person's interests.
- Find inclusive volunteer roles.
- Support the first few times.
- Celebrate contributions.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Read with your support worker.
- Choose what you like.
- Plan your first step.
Accessibility considerations
Easy Read layout with one idea per line and symbols. Should be user tested with people with intellectual disability.
Scope and limitations
General Easy Read information.
Research basis
Supported employment that focuses on rapid job search and ongoing support has strong evidence for helping people with serious mental illness find and keep work. Active support, which gives people real opportunities and just-enough help to take part in everyday activities, increases engagement for people with intellectual disability. Easy Read standards and disability rights frameworks support people's right to accessible information; test Easy Read materials with the people who will use them.
- Bond, G. R., Drake, R. E., & Becker, D. R. (2008). An update on randomized controlled trials of evidence-based supported employment. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 31(4), 280–290. https://doi.org/10.2975/31.4.2008.280.290
- Inclusion Europe. (2009). Information for all: European standards for making information easy to read and understand. https://www.inclusion-europe.eu/easy-to-read-standards-guidelines/
- Mansell, J., & Beadle-Brown, J. (2012). Active support: Enabling and empowering people with intellectual disabilities. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-persons-disabilities
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced. Symbols are original line drawings created for Practitioner Plus.
