What challenge inspired this recipe?
As an example: Each year we host at least 1-2 youngster with a physical disability in our ESC volunteering projects. To support the inclusion of these participants and to raise awareness in the whole ESC volunteering community, and to break down potential barriers and biases, we make sure to offer several leisure time and group activities (e.g. workshops) that the volunteers (and sometimes “local buddies” and mentors, etc.) do together.
After the arrival of the youngster with disability we usually organize a workshop/guided tour/or activity that gives an insight specifically into the life realities of people with similar (dis)abilities and the local communities. Each year the feedback to these events is very positive from all participants. Both from the youngsters with disabilities – who have mentioned that is nice that they don’t have to answer all the questions about their (dis)ability themselves but that the info is presented neutrally to everyone by e.g. professional guides – but also the other participants have mentioned that it has been of great value to them to learn more about different groups in societies, about different (dis)abilities, and thus different life realities through these activities.
The activities were always a good conversation starter, and eye-opener to many participants. They also broke the ice and got rid of potential initial reservations some of the participants might have had towards the youngsters with disabilities.
In Vienna there are several associations and institutions that offer awareness raising workshops, tours, etc. about specific disabilities/societal groups.
For example, when we hosted a volunteer who was hard of hearing, we booked a tour called “Hands Up” that gives an insight into Austrian sign language, daily life of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the support structures, and communities in Austria, but also ongoing problems and stigma these communities are still facing. All of the ESC volunteers were invited to participate. The participation together raised interest and motivation to interact and learn more from about each other.
When we had youngsters with refugee background in our volunteer group, we booked a guided tour (“Shades Tour”) where guides who themselves have a refugee background tell participants more about their personal story, the structures and problems in Austria etc. It is a way of opening the communication about these topics among the volunteers, without the participant who personally is affected being the one having to educate the others, answering their questions, retelling their personal story, etc.
However, if the participants themselves communicate that they would like to present more information or organize an event about the topic themselves, we of course also support them with this. E.g. after the “hands up” tour, one participant who was hard of hearing herself, explained a bit more about what her experience is, how she perceives sound, how to best communicate with her, and taught the group some international sign language. Another volunteer who is a wheelchair user and professional dancer organized a mixed-ability dance workshop, to demonstrate how dancing with a disability and/or as a wheelchair user can look like. The other volunteers could try out how it is to dance in a wheelchair or with a wheelchair-using person. This not only started a conversation about disability and accessibility but also showed the strengths and personality of the volunteer with disability.
Ingredients :
- Volunteer’s applications with information about their background, personal needs, (dis)abilities, etc. to assess which topics might be relevant
- Internet access/phone connection to research local offers (workshops, exhibitions, tours, etc.)
- Funding: most activities will probably not be for free
- Organizing team: one person who is in charge of organizing, booking, implementation, and follow up
Step by step guide
- Investigate which topics might cause reservations between participants in the volunteer group
- Research local offers of associations, institutions, private persons for awareness raising activities/workshops/etc.
- Clarify funding: what are the costs of such activities? Do you have funding to cover the expenses? Where could you ask for funding for such activities for your volunteers (so that they do not have to pay themselves)?
- Book the activity/workshop and invite all the ESC volunteers (maybe also the mentors, local volunteers, etc.)
- Attend the activity
- Ask participants for feedback, if it seems necessary, do a follow up with questions/further information, check in on participants
Example tours from Vienna:
About the living realities of deaf/hard of hearing persons in Austria: https://handsup.wien/en/about-us/
About the living reality of blind person or with visual impairments: https://imdunkeln.at/ / https://www.dialogue-se.com/
About persons with refugee, homelesness, or addition background history: https://shades-tours.com/en/shades-tours/
Important to highlight!Depending on the event/activity, it might make also sense to check with the person who is personally affected by the topic how they would feel about this group activity.
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Before you start cooking, keep in mind…
The biggest challenge might be funding. Also this only works well if all the volunteers live closely to each other. Otherwise, additional funding to cover the travel costs might be needed.
