AmeriCorps Disabilities Resources

Kentucky is proud to provide the skills and professional service of a disabilities coordinator as part of KCCVS' commitment to inclusion and opportunity for all who seek to serve. Kentucky's disabilities coordinator works to recruit AmeriCorps members with disabilities and provide assistance and referrals to services and supports members may need to perform their service assignment duties.

The KCCVS disabilities coordinator also provides advocacy and outreach to address access and accommodation policies and issues as a means to further expand service opportunities. Kentucky is working hard to find ways for people with disabilities, who otherwise may not have the opportunity, to share in the spirit of volunteerism and service.

The KCCVS disabilities coordinator established the Kentucky AmeriCorps Disabilities Inclusion Action Council (KADIAC), a diverse group of individuals with specialized knowledge of disability related issues, to encourage participation in Kentucky AmeriCorps prorgrams and to promote disability inclusion. Learn more about the KADIAC.

Find general disabilities resources here.

Lanny Taulbee has developed flyers and other disability-related publications about AmeriCorps. Below are PDFs of his publications for your use.

AmeriCorps Program Director Accessibility Checklist

AmeriCorps Member Accessibility Checklist

AmeriCorps Inclusion Flyer

AmeriCorps Inclusion Flyer (Large Print)

AmeriCorps Inclusion Flyer (Large Print) 11x17

AmeriCorps Self-Disclosure Flyer

AmeriCorps Self-Disclosure Flyer (Large Print)

AmeriCorps Self-Disclosure Flyer (Large Print) 11x17

AmeriCorps Tax Guide (2007)

HUD Exclusions - sections relating to AmeriCorps "income" exclusions have been highlighted

Kentucky AmeriCorps Brochure

Kentucky Food Stamp Regulations - sections relating to AmeriCorps "income" exclusions have been highlighted

PowerPoint Presentations

AmeriCorps and Disabilities Inclusion in Emergency Situations (Jan. 2010) - Adobe PDF

Disaster Preparedness and Vulnerable Populations (Nov. 2008) - Adobe PDF

Disabilities Inclusion Presentation - Greensboro, N.C. (June 2007) - Microsoft PowerPoint (For full version, choose "Save" instead of "Open")

Disabilities Inclusion Presentation - Greensboro, N.C. (June 2007) - Adobe PDF

Citizen Service Act of 2002 - unveiled in April 2002 by President George W. Bush to reform and enhance AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and other programs administered by CNCS. This measure would have eliminated several financial barriers that pertain to members with disabilities. However, it was not voted on by Congress.

HEART Act - information from the Corporation for National and Community Service about "the HEART Act," the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, which makes AmeriCorps more accessible to people with disabilities.

National and Community Service Act of 1990 - passed in 1993 and established the Corporation for National and Community Service. (Page 34, part (d)(5) provides the language requiring a portion of funding to be set aside for disability inclusion.)

National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) - a Corporation for National and Community Service training and technical assistance provider to help with compliance in all training and technical assistance needs regarding the inclusion of individuals with disabilities as active participants in national service programs.

General Disabilities Internet Resouces

Accommodation Resources

The Job Accommodation Network - a source for information about accommodations. JAN's website is a wealth of information about accommodations and consultants are also available by phone. Services are free and confidential.

US Office of Rehabilitation Services - This federal agency funds state and local Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies across the country. They help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment. Many Vocational Rehabilitation offices also help place people with disabilities in national service programs.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - This federal department supports nationwide employment training program for veterans with service-connected disabilities who qualify for vocational rehabilitation.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf - Directory of Interpreters (You can search by state). This organization is a national membership organization representing professional interpreters.

Telecommunications Relay Services - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted use of the 711 dialing code for access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). TRS permits persons with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or without such disabilities.

Video Relay Services (VRS) - arm of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) that enables persons with hearing disabilities who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with voice telephone users through video equipment, rather than through typed text.

Easter Seals - an organization that provides services to people with disabilities including assistance determining and implementing accommodations. They are a national organization with local affiliates.