7 ways you can help people with disabilities

If you’re keen to help out in your community, you love a chat, and you’re happy to spend time with others, you may find disability volunteering to be extremely rewarding.There are several opportunities available when it comes to volunteering in the disability sector - from direct provider assistance (working behind the scenes), to working directly with disabled members of the community.In fact, the NDIS has recently released a call for volunteers for their Winter Workforce, to account for staff shortages - so there’s never been a better time to raise your hand and help out!The available opportunities vary from place to place, but some of the volunteer positions involve:

Activity Assistance: This can include assisting with and participating in sports, arts and crafts and other activities alongside a person with a disability.

Group Facilitators: These roles would involve hosting small-scale support groups so that people with disabilities can meet and mingle with one another.

Socialising & Buddies: Volunteer positions like these often involve spending time with people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. As a buddy, you would assist with socialisation and inclusion.

Mentor & Advocate: A position as a Mentor and Advocate would involve spending time with a vulnerable person and assisting them to improve their quality of life, while advocating for their rights.

Transport Assistance: Volunteering in these positions may involve assisting patrons to enter and exit busses, carry luggage, and join in socially during transportation. Occasionally positions for bus drivers are also available.

Retail & Consumer: This includes positions like helping out in a disability facility or provider’s on-site gift shop or café. These positions can also include administrative support and mild social media management for providers as well.

Education: If you like teaching others, volunteering to host small-scale community seminars may be for you. These seminars would empower people with disabilities to use technological devices or specialist equipment.When it comes to volunteering in disability services, you may find approaching a local disability provider to be a great starting point. But job boards are also a useful resource for aspiring volunteers.

Safety assurance in the disability sector

HomeGuardian is a device that monitors and alerts for unseen falls, absence and wandering, a decline in health and changes in behaviour that can indicate an onset of illness.HomeGuardian is an asset to any disability support facility or independent living environment. It is especially vital for people prone to slips, trips and falls.The system is designed to work in people's homes without the need to put on any wearables or alarms. It's 100% private, fully automatic and works in the dark.The nominated emergency contacts are then notified within 2s of the incident detection so that those who fall can get the timely post-fall care that they deserve.Learn more about how HomeGuardian works by clicking this link. (You will be redirected to a YouTube video.)To apply for a HomeGuardian of your own, leave your details here, or give us a call on 1300 248 324.

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