This document discusses including individuals with disabilities in national and community service programs. It provides information on partnerships with disability organizations, examples of training topics, and an overview of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which emphasizes inclusion of people with disabilities in national service. The act increases funding for outreach and allows those with disabilities to serve up to two full-time terms.

1. Including Individuals in National and Community Service in South Carolina “ Everybody can be great because anybody can serve” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. www.SERVICEandINCLUSION.org Toll-free hotline: 888-491-0326 (voice/TTY)

3. National Partnerships The National Service Inclusion Project partners with the following organizations to further enable all CNCS grantees to collaborate with the disability community. These disability organizations are committed to promoting national service and volunteerism as a valued option for individuals with disabilities to their respective communities. Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

6. March 31, 2009 • House of Representatives passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act . April 21, 2009 • President Obama signed the bill into law. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

12. How do you define “disability”?

14. Major life activities include, but are not limited to: “ Major Life Activity” is Anything an Average Person Can Do with Little or No Difficulty

15. operation of major bodily functions such as the immune system, normal cell growth and the endocrine system. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/bulletins/adaaa1.htm ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) Additions:

21. Most often, it’s best to call someone by name, not by a label.

23. Myths and Facts About Disability Use your “myth” and “fact” cards to indicate if you think the statement is true or false.

24. “ We’d love to be more inclusive, but accommodations are just too expensive so we can’t afford to have volunteers with disabilities.”

26. “ I’d like him to join our team because I think people with disabilities can add to the diversity of our organization.”

27. That’s a Fact. People with disabilities, like other members of your organization, have unique experiences and perspectives that can add to the diversity of ideas in your organization.

28. “ The ADA forces programs to include unqualified individuals with disabilities as members and volunteers.”

30. “ People with disabilities are inspirational and courageous.”

32. Recruitment and Outreach

41. Inclusive Recruitment = A Larger Pool of Talented Applicants

42. Inclusive Interviewing and Selection

46. Warren arrives for the interview a few minutes early and views the service site. He is amazed at the inclusive space and depictions of people with disabilities participating. A few moments later, Carrie arrives to greet Warren.

47. "Hello Warren. How are you doing?" "Hello. I’m fine. And yourself?" "I’m fine, thanks. My name is Carrie, the service manager with AmeriCorps who spoke with you on the phone. I will be conducting the interview with you today. Please follow me and discuss the position in my office." "Great. I look forward to learning more about the organization."

48. "I became interested in service when I was in the library, completing some work of my own, when I saw several service volunteers completing an activity with students. Their position was precisely in line with the kind of work I want to do. After discussing service further with the representative at the career fair and reading through your website, I think providing service to the community while fulfilling my own goals makes this a really good fit.” "That’s great. We like to hear that. With your interest in tutoring and the position you applied for, do you have any experience in this area?" "Right now, my experience has been in the tutoring classroom, working with students on their reading and basic writing. Teaching, especially teaching reading, has always been my passion. Outside of the classroom, I read for pleasure as often as possible." " First of all, what initially interested you in service?" "I have always been interested in tutoring students. I have always enjoyed the time I spent in the classroom, regardless of whether I am in the learning or teaching position.”

49. "I can tell you’re very passionate about performing this kind of service. There can be times, however, where any work can be difficult or discouraging. Can you name a situation where you overcame a unique learning challenge with a student?" "I can, actually. I myself have a disability. In part, my own experience has shaped my interest in and dedication to tutoring." " Your dedication is wonderful to hear. Just to let you know, we are an inclusive organization and provide accommodations for disabilities on request." "Ok, good. Thanks for telling me."

50. “ Not all students may share your dedication, however, in this area. How would you handle difficult or unruly students in the classroom?” “I think that can be a problem. Sometimes, even the most dedicated students can find the subject material difficult or frustrating. Other times, students are not in the right mindset to want to learn. In order to overcome this, I try to vary my approach with tutoring. You can’t only hang over the student and listen to them trying to read a sentence. You have to engage them with active storytelling, group activities, and even pneumonic devices to help students remember different reading strategies.” “ Great answer. Well, Warren, let me tell you a little more about the program. A position in service will run for a total of 1700 hours over the course of a 10 month period. During this time, you will receive a monthly stipend as well as an educational award for the work completed. At the end of satisfactory service, you can apply for another term. Do you have any questions for me?”

51. “ The only question I have is about the selection process. Where will you go from here?” “That’s a good question. I’m in the process of interviewing a few more candidates and should have an answer for you within a few days.” “That’s fine.”

52. “ I also just want to say again how exciting this position sounds and how much I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for speaking with me today.” “Thanks for stopping by. We’ll be in touch soon.”

62. Access and Accommodation Universal Design, Building Inclusive Teams and Determining Reasonable Accommodation

67. Building an Inclusive Team Environment

69. Accommodations

70. Accommodations “ Accommodations” are technology, services, and changes in policy, procedures, and the built environment that enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions or to equally participate in events and programs - According to the Job Accommodation Network approximately 80% of accommodations cost less than $600 and more than 50% of reported accommodations cost nothing .

74. Examples of Accommodations “ I am considered a low vision person so reading is very difficult for me…I have a special reading glass at home but I wouldn’t bring it in because it’s difficult. I read with one eye. I don’t want the kids to realize that I am that disabled. that’s part of my problem maybe. Because they don't see me as that. I am the grandma that has to be read to. So, they read to me.” - Ruth Koffler Union-Snyder Foster Grandparent Program

75. Examples of Accommodations “ I work with AmeriCorps Service for 1 year. I have no interpreter. I only need an interpreter for meetings. I don't need that for work. I just write a note with some members and I taught some members some basic sign language like: "work, breaktime, what, where, why, toilet, see you later, bye, and hi". I can read lips a little bit, not long sentences just two or three words.” -Kevin Pachio Hoopa AmeriCorps on Native Lands

78. “ Friend” us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Visit our website! Information on our electronic resources is available in your folder!

79. Click to edit Master title style Contact Information: National Service Inclusion Project 888.491.0326 [V/TTY] [email_address] www.SERVICEandINCLUSION.org