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NSW has many strengths, including its population of 1.35 million people living with disability. This means that almost one in five residents have a disability, many of which are hidden.

We all likely know someone with a disability or may even experience it ourselves. Misunderstandings or assumptions about the nature of disability may create barriers to volunteering. Often it is not the disability that prevents a person from doing something but the barriers that are placed in front of them.

The Australian Disability Network believes inclusion benefits everyone. They have made a humorous and thought-provoking video which will challenge your assumptions of disability whilst promoting accessible,
inclusive environments. Watch below or click here.

The NSW Government have launched NSW Disability Inclusion Volunteering Guidelines which support organisations to reflect on and improve their practices to ensure people with disability are given the opportunity to contribute through volunteering. They are shaped by three overarching pillars:

1. Recruit: Increase participation by people with disability across all parts of the volunteering community by improving accessibility and inclusive practices which enable people with disability to have an active presence in the volunteering sector.
2. Retain: Support the continued participation of people with disability in the volunteering sector by providing a range of suitable, meaningful and diverse roles and experiences that are informed by people with disability.
3. Recognise: Develop and implement inclusive recognition programs that acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of all volunteers in a variety of ways.

The NSW Disability Inclusion Volunteering Guidelines are free to use and they can be downloaded here.

#RemoveBarriers