Access and Inclusion Plans
The Australian Volunteers Program provides additional supports to people with disabilities through Access and Inclusion Plans.
The Australian Volunteers Program recognises the valuable contributions, skills, and perspectives that people with disabilities bring to volunteer assignments. The program is committed to inclusive practices and to promoting accessibility for everyone.
Access and Inclusion Plans
Access and Inclusion Plans are a tool that help to communicate support needs; they are available to all volunteers who identify as having a disability.
The plan helps the Inclusion, recruitment, and country program teams identify reasonable accommodations needed throughout the volunteer journey, from interview to placement. Applicants who disclose a disability receive an email with information about disability inclusion supports and reasonable adjustments, along with a link to the Access and Inclusion Plan.
Depending on individual needs and assignment context, volunteers may access a range of reasonable adjustments, such as communication supports or accessible accommodation. These supports are coordinated by the inclusion and country teams.
How do I complete an Access and Inclusion Plan?
After creating your volunteer profile and identifying as a person with a disability, the first step in accessing supports or requesting adjustments is to complete the Access and Inclusion Plan document. While you are encouraged to identify your own needs, our team is here to support you with completing the form or discussing any potential adjustments.
If you would like assistance, please contact inclusion@australianvolunteers.com.
To help the program understand any support needs or reasonable adjustments that will assist you to participate fully and safely, applicants are asked to submit their plan before any recruitment interview. Sharing this information early helps the program explore adjustments related to travel, accommodation, communication, and workplace access.
What happens next?
Once your support needs have been identified, the inclusion and recruitment teams will share your plan with the relevant country program team so they can explore what supports can be put in place. You will be included in planning discussions as needed, and the program will provide regular updates as arrangements progress.
After your plan has been reviewed and approved, the disability inclusion coordinator will contact you to invite you to a discussion about your plan and to answer any questions.
While the Australian Volunteers Program is committed to creating an inclusive volunteering experience and will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your needs, there may be limitations due to local infrastructure, available resources, or safety considerations. If any challenges arise, the program will work with you to explore alternatives wherever possible.
Download the Access and Inclusion Plan form
Access and Inclusion plans explained
Access and inclusion plans are individually tailored to meet the needs of volunteers with disabilities. Find out more in our short video featuring former volunteer Robyn Whitney, who uses Auslan. Robyn volunteered in Bhutan as a Deaf Education Teacher Trainer with the Wangsel Institute for the Deaf.
