Socialability Suite 12 Mandurah Lotteries House 7 Anzac

Socialability Suite 12 Mandurah Lotteries House 7 Anzac Place Mandurah 9581 1187 www. peelvolunteer. org. au This project is supported by the Department of Communities (Disability Services)’ ILC Grant Priority Area 3

About Us Peel Volunteer Resource Centre • Peel Volunteer Resource Centre (PVRC) is an • • incorporated not for profit organisation that was formed in 1993. We are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9. 00 am & 3. 00 pm. PVRC keeps an up to date register of a variety of volunteer positions with community agencies in the Peel Region. Volunteers choose a position that appeals to them and a referral is then made to the relevant Volunteer Involving Organisation (VIO).

Peel Volunteer Resource Centre • PVRC provides support to organisations in the City of • • • Mandurah and the Shires of Murray, Waroona, Boddington & Serpentine-Jarrahdale. Volunteering is WA’s largest industry by employment. The sum social, economic and cultural value of volunteering in WA is estimated at about $39 billion per year. It is estimated that about 80% of West Australians give their time for the good of their community at some stage of their life.

I want to ask you to consider giving some time to a person who has some form of a disability as a volunteer in your organisation.

Definition of a Disability A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. The Disability Services Act (1993) defines ‘disability’ as meaning a disability: • which is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments • which is permanent or likely to be permanent • which may or may not be of a chronic or episodic nature • which results in substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and a need for continuing support services. With the assistance of appropriate aids and services, the restrictions experienced by many people with a disability may be overcome

Benefits of including people with a Disability • In 2012 the Australian Bureau of Statists reported that 1 in • • every 5 people in the Australian community, being 405, 000 had some form of disability. Our community is aging; it is estimated that 4 out of 10 workers will be 45 + by 2020. The most significant barrier for people with a disability still appears to be the stereotypical assumptions and attitudes of organisations about what people with disability can and cannot do.

Disability & appropriate language • Language reflects and shapes the way we view the world. • The words we use can influence community attitudes both in a positive and negative way and have an impact on others. • By their nature, some words can degrade and diminish people with a disability. • Others perpetuate inarticulate stereotypes- removing individuality and humanity.

Three key reasons that necessitate a change of thinking are: • People with a disability no longer accept less than equitable opportunities in the work place and in daily life. • Technology has removed many of the barriers that were once restrictive. The main focus should be on skills, talents and capabilities of the person. • The economic and social cost of ignoring 20% of the population is unsustainable.

Benefits to Organisations • • • Increase your disability confidence and awareness by working along side people with disability. Be an organisation of choice for people with a disability- lead the way! Grow a diverse and inclusive volunteer force, support innovation and change. Enhance skills such as diversity, coaching & listening. Gain client loyalty. Strengthen workplace morale.

Volunteers with a disability are: • • • Reliable - They take fewer days of, less sick leave and stay in jobs longer. Productive - Once in the right job they perform as well as able bodied workers. Safe - no more likely to be injured than other employees. Good for business – they form strong connections with clients and they boost staff morale. Team work is enhanced. Builds organisations image internally to staff, & externally to the community and clients.

Objectives of Socialability are: • To provide opportunities for inclusion in community activities for people who have a disability. • Increase the participation of people with disabilities in volunteering in the community. • Increase the positive outcomes of volunteering. • Increase the opportunity for people to experience valued and satisfying roles. • Increase an organisation’s ability to deliver its services.

PVRC Objective • People with disabilities receive information in a format that will enable them to access information as readily as other volunteers. • People with disabilities receive the same levels and quality of service from PVRC staff and volunteer staff as other prospective volunteers.

PVRC Disability & Inclusion Plan • The Socialability program run by PVRC as part of the • • • DAIP supporting people with disabilities into volunteering. We ensure people with barriers to volunteering are regularly consulted in identifying their needs and volunteering experiences. PVRC will provide support to people with barriers to volunteering through the Socialability Program. PVRC ensure experiences in volunteering are enjoyable and rewarding across our client base.

Food for Thought • The most significant barrier for people with disability still appears to be that it is too hard to bring a person with a disability into your workspace. • “One million Australians with disability are already in the workforce” proving that disability is not the barrier it used to be.

• “Putting People First” is a simple rule. Acknowledge the person before their disability. • Be a leader, think outside the square and give a go to a volunteer who has a disability. You never know it could lead to paid employment.