Inclusion
Creating an Inclusive Environment:
A Handbook for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in National and Community Service Programs

Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Corporation for National and Community Service

Created in 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service engages more than 2 million Americans annually in improving communities through service. The Corporation supports service at national, state and local levels through:

• Senior Corps, a network of programs that helps Americans age 55 and older use their skills and experience in service opportunities that address the needs of their communities. Senior Corps includes RSVP,The Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program.
• AmeriCorps, whose members serve with local and national organizations to meet community needs while earning education awards to help finance college or training.
• Learn and Serve America, which helps link community service and learning objectives for youth from kindergarten through college as well as youth in community-based organizations.

Upon request, this material will be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities.

Published through Cooperative Agreement #95CA000031 in January 2004 - First Edition.

This publication was developed by the UCP Access AmeriCorps disability inclusion training and technical assistance project. It is based on work funded by CNCS under Cooperative Agreement No. 95CA000031. Opinions expressed in this book do not necessarily reflect the official position of CNCS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Section I: Inclusive Service Environments
• Section II: People with Disabilities
• Section III: Inclusive Service Descriptions
• Section IV: Inclusive Recruitment and Outreach
• Section V: Inclusive Interviewing and Service Selection
• Section VI: Access
• Section VII: Accommodations
• Section VIII: Management and Retention
• Section IX: Collaborations
• Section X: Progress Towards Inclusion
• Section XI: Government Benefits and Participation in Service Programs
• Section XII: Legal Requirements
• Appendix A Glossary
• Appendix B Sample of Self-Evaluation Checklist
• Appendix C Tips for Presenting in Audiences with People with Disabilities
• Appendix Resources
• Acknowledgments

This Handbook will assist you as you work to fully and meaningfully include individuals with disabilities in your national and community service program. It is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and it will not necessarily provide you with solutions to the complex situations or legal interpretations that may arise. It is, however, designed to provide you with accurate information. If you need legal advice or other expert assistance, your best course of action would be to consult a competent professional. You will find specific resources to assist you in different areas of outreach, recruitment, selection, and retention of participants with disabilities in national and community service. Please feel free to provide feedback to Jewel Bazilio at jbazilio@cns.gov at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

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©The National Service Inclusion Project is a cooperative agreement (#01CAM0016) between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.