Welcoming People with Disability into Volunteering

Welcoming People with Disability into Volunteering: Understanding Roles and Responsibilities

This resource from Mission Australia helps Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) and Volunteer Managers confidently include people with disability in volunteering programs, particularly when a volunteer is supported by a Support Worker. It explains the distinct responsibilities of Volunteer Managers, VIOs and Support Workers, helping create safe, inclusive and positive volunteering experiences while ensuring appropriate support is provided where needed.

Benefits for Volunteer Managers and Volunteer Involving Organisations

For Volunteer Managers, the resource provides clarity about their role, outlining that they are responsible for creating an inclusive volunteering environment, but not for disability-related supports such as personal care, medication management or behavioural support. By understanding these boundaries and working alongside Support Workers, Volunteer Managers can focus on volunteer engagement, improve inclusion, strengthen risk management practices and foster a more welcoming and diverse volunteer program.

For Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs), the resource supports stronger inclusion, reduced organisational risk and greater participation by people with disability. It encourages organisations to remove barriers, adopt accessible and customised approaches, and create respectful volunteering environments. The key message is that VIOs provide inclusive volunteering opportunities, while Support Workers remain responsible for disability-related supports, enabling more people with disability to participate successfully in volunteering.