Help for Young People Considering Their Future - Part 3

Get Involved in Volunteer Work

Our News and Views blog series, Help for Young People Considering their Future, is written for people with disabilities moving from school into the workforce.

This installment is all about volunteering.

If you enjoy helping others, have a special talent to share, or want professional experience, consider volunteering. Volunteering means donating your time and skills for free. It’s a great way to give back to your community and make new friends. It can also help you discover your passions, learn new skills, get into college and start a career. Volunteering is your chance to:

• Earn school credit or community service hours
• Explore types of work you might like to do in the future
• Gain skills and experience while expanding your professional network
• Connect with future employers
• Find a mentor who can help you start or return to your career
• Practice asking for and using accommodations you will need in college and on the job

Four Steps to Get Started

1. Know what you’re looking for. Deciding what kind of volunteer experience you want will help you find the best fit. Ask yourself these questions:

2. Find a place to volunteer. Use these tips:

3. Learn more about the position. Once you find a volunteer opportunity, make sure it's a good fit. The best way to do this is to:

4. Apply for the position. Before you start volunteering, you may have to fill out an application and interview for the position. You can show them you deserve the position if you:

Things to Think About

Requirements: Volunteers may be required to meet certain conditions, such as being older than a certain age or getting permission from their parents, passing a medical exam or a criminal background check. Ask about requirements early on so you don’t waste time applying for positions you’re not qualified for and to ensure that you can meet application deadlines. Application tests and paperwork can take a lot of time.

Your commitment level: Before committing to a volunteer position, make sure you can put in the required time and effort. Reliability is essential to being a good volunteer. Reliability can also help you get a strong letter of recommendation from your supervisor when you apply for college, scholarships and jobs.

Disclosing your disability and asking for accommodations: Volunteers are not employees, and are not typically entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With that in mind, you may consider using volunteer work as an opportunity to practice more than technical skills. You can decide whether to mention your disability and ask for accommodations to help you do your best in your volunteer position. Practicing now can help you feel more comfortable asking for accommodations in college or on the job. Learn more about disclosure through the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability.

Volunteers may be considered employees under certain situations. For more information, visit the Job Accommodation Network.

If you receive Social Security benefits because of a disability, the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program can answer questions about disclosing your disability and requesting accommodations. Find the PABSS program in your state through Ticket to Work.

Have fun! Volunteering should be fun, so make sure you are doing something you enjoy.