By Kevin Elliott, Senior Staff Trainer, Access AmeriCorps

SPRING 2000 (archived information - please note the date of publication)

Inclusion of persons with disabilities is a vital component to building a sustainable program that is diverse and well represented. We are all committed to building diversity and complying with the ADA, but may need some support in doing so. Below are some key areas to address while building equal opportunities for people with disabilities in national service, and some organizations your agency can partner with to support these activities. To further support collaboration, and therefore strengthen and sustain your program, offer to work with these agencies when performing service projects. You may find a new community-based agency that can become a partner in many endeavors. Remember, collaboration is a two-way street.

Recruitment:

• Access AmeriCorps
• Centers for Independent Living
• United Cerebral Palsy affiliates
• Disability service providers
• Vocational rehabilitation offices
• University offices for students with disabilities
• Special Education and vocational counselors in high schools

ADA Compliance:

• Access AmeriCorps
• Centers for Independent Living
• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC)
• Benefits (entitlements) Counseling:
• Access AmeriCorps
• Centers for Independent Living
• United Cerebral Palsy affiliates (most, not all)
• Other disability service providers

Accommodations:

• Access AmeriCorps
• Centers for Independent Living
• United Cerebral Palsy Affiliates (most, not all)
• State Vocational Rehabilitation offices
• Adaptive Technology labs
• Disability service organizations
• High School Special Education departments
• State Commissions on Volunteerism (for qualified AmeriCorps programs)
• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC)
• State Assistance Technology programs