Overview
Volunteering is an important part of community life. Every day, Americans spend time and energy making a difference in their communities. Inclusive volunteering is about making sure everyone can give back.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can serve their communities in many ways:
- Serving meals at soup kitchens,
- Stocking food pantries,
- Preparing and delivering meals to seniors,
- Helping keep communities beautiful,
- Spending time with people who are isolated,
- Helping care for pets and other animals, and more.
Why It Matters
Sometimes, people with IDD do not have as many opportunities to volunteer in the community as they would like. This may happen for several reasons:
- Some people think that people with disabilities can only receive service and cannot give back to others.
- Volunteer groups and coordinators may not have experience working with people with IDD and may not know how or have enough staff to support them to volunteer.
- Volunteer locations may not be accessible to people with IDD.
- A person with IDD may need support with health needs while they volunteer.
- People may struggle to find transportation to or from a volunteering.
- People with IDD may not know how to express their interest in volunteering or where to find volunteer opportunities in their community.
- People with IDD may not want to volunteer because they want a paid job.
Many people perceive people with disabilities as the ones in need of service. However, people with disabilities are a key part of civic engagement across the country.
People volunteer every day to build confidence, job skills, and work experience. Volunteering helps job seekers network and build relationships that can lead to employment. It also provides chances to build friendships and networks of support.
People can and should be empowered to give back to their communities. When everyone participates, it’s a win-win!
What The Arc Is Doing
The Arc partners with organizations and companies to create and nurture volunteerism across America. These partnerships include:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service/AmeriCorps
Since 2015, The Arc has been the recipient of a grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency that leads national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service activities. Each year, the grant enables chapters of The Arc and other organizations across the country to plan and execute volunteer projects that unite communities in service. To date, MLK Day service projects have helped over 54,978 people and given 2,582 volunteers the opportunity to build and strengthen relationships in the community.
September 11th Day of Service/AmeriCorps
The Arc is excited to receive another grant from AmeriCorps to expand our volunteer efforts in 2021. Through this grant, chapters of The Arc and other organizations throughout the US will create volunteer opportunities that help better prepare their community in case of disaster. Activities will have an emphasis on individuals who are older or have a disability to ensure they are included in all aspects of planning and preparedness.
Building Community Resilience Through Inclusive Disaster Preparedness
The Arc received funding from the Verizon Foundation to implement the Building Community Resilience Through Inclusive Disaster Preparedness program in 2021. Through this initiative, chapters of The Arc and community organizations will expand their virtual space to offer online volunteer opportunities that focus on the importance of emergency preparedness and ensuring that people with disabilities and their perspectives are incorporated in emergency preparedness plans from the beginning.
Comcast Cares Day
Every April, The Arc partners with ComcastNBCUniversal for Comcast Cares Day. The event is the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort, and a powerful representation of their company’s year-round commitment to community service. Comcast partners with local chapters of The Arc for joint inclusive volunteer projects.
Volunteering and Public Benefits
Many people who have IDD volunteer, including people who receive public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Volunteering for a few hours a month will not change or stop you from receiving benefits, but these activities must follow the Social Security Administration’s rules on how much and what type of work you can do.
If you don’t follow these rules, the Social Security Administration may think you are able to work full or part-time and change or take away your benefits. However, even if you do decide to work, the Social Security Administration has a nine-month trial period where you can decide whether you feel you can continue to work.
If you have questions about how much or whether volunteering will impact your public benefits, talk to a trusted family, friend, or supporter. Or, contact a local chapter of The Arc for assistance.
Where to Start: Volunteering Tips
Getting involved in volunteering – either as an individual or an organization – is easy! Use our free resources to get started.
Recent News
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
