Volunteer Manual
In addition to this manual, I also developed a condensed version that had larger text, pictures and fewer words. This version is in "easy-to-read format" which can be more accessible to volunteers with intellectual disabilities, English Language Learners or others who would benefit from the information presented in a different way. Both versions are screen-reader accessible and available in large print.
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These manuals are thorough. The complete version is about 120 pages and the condensed version is 156 pages. While they are geared towards volunteers, I believes that all people benefit from learning and thinking about disability. They provide information that has been collected from many sources in a single, some-what-short, location. I believe that they could be used in many more contexts, including as a teacher's guide, information for people working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, and those interested in disability rights/culture.
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However, this manual is not meant to be an end-all or thorough guide to disability. I encourage you to explore other books or information on disability, which is all compiled here.
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As part of my senior thesis and departmental honors project in Disability Studies, I (Natalie, TCI's Executive Director & Co-Founder) developed Thurston County Inclusion's Volunteer Manual. Within this manual, I included many things that you would expect to tell your volunteers: roles and responsibilities, expectations, etc. But I also included things that I learned in my four years as a Disability Studies Major, including topics such as the language around disability, disability around the world and the history around disability.
Table of Contents
Here is what I included in the manuals.
Part 1: Thurston County Inclusion Information
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: About Thurston County Inclusion
History
Mission
Chapter 3: Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
Part 2: The Disability Experience
Chapter 4: What is Disability?
Chapter 5: Vocabulary
Intellectual Disability
Person First Language vs. Identity First Language
Visible vs. Invisible Disability
Ableism
Intersectionality & Identity
Chapter 6: Neuroscience of Disability
Chapter 7: The History of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Chapter 8: Disability Around the World
Disabled Experience Around the World
Models of Disability Around the World
Language Relating to Disability
International Agreements on Disability
Access to Education
Chapter 9: Disability-Related Laws
Federal Laws
Washington State Laws
Chapter 10: Stereotypes of Disability in Popular Culture
Inspiration Porn
Disability on Television and Movies
Ransom Notes
Chapter 11: Allyship, Advocacy and Activism.. 87
Allyship
Advocacy & Activism
Chapter 12: Major Intellectual Disability Related Organizations
The Arc of the United States
Think College
Special Olympics
Chapter 13: Resources to Dive in Further
Part 3: Scenarios
Reflection Activity
References
Condensed Versions
Here is a sample of the condensed version to give you an idea of what it looks like.
Getting the Volunteer Manual
It is my hope that anyone can have access to the materials provided in the volunteer manuals. With that being said, these manuals are copyrighted and should not be reproduced or shared without credit given. The PDF of both versions are available for free (they are screen reader accessible). If you would like a physical copy, we charge a small fee to cover our printing and shipping costs.