165. Let's Make Volunteering Accessible for All with Allyson Ferrari

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson is joined by Allyson Ferrari, Director of Connections at Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to explore how organizations can make volunteering more inclusive and accessible. 

Together, they dive into practical strategies for building, growing, and scaling volunteer talent by designing opportunities that welcome people with disabilities. From addressing legal and logistical challenges to embracing neurodiversity and co-creating roles with volunteers themselves, this conversation offers actionable insights for any organization looking to diversify and strengthen their volunteer base. 

Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your current practices, this episode is packed with inspiration and tools to make volunteering more welcoming for everyone. 

Full show notes: 165. Let's Make Volunteering Accessible for All with Allyson Ferrari 

Accessible Volunteering - Episode Highlights 

• [03:03] - Allyson's Nonprofit Journey 
• [05:04] - The Value of Liberal Arts in Nonprofits 
• [09:00] - Defining Accessible Volunteering 
• [16:34] - Legal Aspects of Accessibility 
• [28:27] - Pairing People with Complementary Skills 
• [29:36] - Empowerment Through Disability Identity 
• [30:48] - Recognizing Unconscious Bias in Organizations 
• [32:39] - Practical Tips for Accessible Volunteering 
• [35:08] - Engaging People with Disabilities as Co-Creators 
• [40:40] - Creating Accessible Volunteer Opportunities 
• [49:03] - Supporting Neurodiverse Volunteers 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #Episode #124: Equity Tools for Nonprofits Volunteerism with Faiza Venzant 
• Crip Camp Movie 
• Info on US Section 504 of the US of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
• Info on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  
• LightHouse for the Blind SF 
• Find Allyson on LinkedIn  
• Contact Allyson 
• Volunteer for LightHouse for the Blind SF 

  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [e-mail].