title: 'We couldn't function without volunteers': volunteering with a disability, the perspective of not-for-profit agencies.
abstract: Volunteers play an important role in many organisations that deliver services for the public good. Many people within the community choose to volunteer and there is a rich literature on the reasons why people do so, as well as the benefits that accrue to individuals, organisations and the community. However, there are few reports of people with long-standing disability becoming volunteers. The aim of this study was to explore the views of volunteer coordinators in not-for-profit organisations concerning people with long-standing disability as volunteers. Seven coordinators participated in two focus groups. The participants identified opportunities for people with a disability to contribute as volunteers, but were also quick to point out significant barriers. The findings from this exploratory study suggest that if people with long-standing disability are to volunteer, consideration must be given to their individual requirements and overcoming negative community attitudes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia. S.Balandin@fhs.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balandin
authors.forename: Gwynnyth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Llewellyn
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dew
authors.forename: Liora
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ballin
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014838:Volunteers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*