DISABILITIES
Mission: AHRC is a family-governed organization committed to finding ways for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to build full lives as defined by each person and supported by dedicated families, staff and community partners.
Website: https://www.ahrcnyc.org/involved/volunteer/
Email: https://www.ahrcnyc.org/contact/ or Stefanie.nelson@ahrcnyc.org (One-for-One)
Phone: 212-780-2500
What volunteers do:
employment mentoring (resume and cover-letter writing, e-mail correspondence, managing on-line applications and follow up with potential employers after an interview)
work one-on-one for 1.5 hour sessions to conduct mock interviews and give feedback (training provided)
teach 2-hour financial-literacy workshop (budgeting, credit, savings)
lead arts workshops
spend a few hours to a full day beautifying AHRC residences and schools (garden, paint murals, renovate)
host a supply drive (garden supplies, art supplies, personal care products)
assist in Saturday sports and recreation activities (yoga, fitness, cooking, arts, drama, photography, creative writing) full day or half day
One-for-One program matches volunteers with people in AHRC residences and programs based on shared interests to spend leisure time together (minimum one-year commitment, includes 6-7 hours of training)
Mission: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Website: https://autisticadvocacy.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Email: Jean Winegardner at Jwinegardner@autisticadvocacy.org
Phone: n/a
What volunteers do:
help write captions for ASAN video resources
write accessible image descriptions for photos, clipart, etc.
help translate written resources into accessible/plain language
translate materials into other languages
FAQ: work can be done from home
Mission: AXS Lab aims to engage audiences to explore the disability experience using new media, films, and the power of story. By exploring alternate realities of perception and experience, we believe the world becomes a more compassionate, inclusive and enriching place. AXS Lab makes films, new media, and builds technology as tools to raise awareness and advocate for people with disabilities globally. We have created award winning films and tools to invigorate and expand the conversation on disability around the globe. We imagine the world without barriers, that is 100% accessible, with full inclusion.
Website: http://axslab.org/
Email: n/a (contact form on site)
Phone: n/a
What volunteers do:
filmmakers and programmers support core work of the organization
help map accessible places in each neighborhood
Borough: Queens office
Mission: Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: to make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies from all over the world through a live video call.
Website: https://www.bemyeyes.com/download
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
What volunteers do:
install the Be My Eyes app
respond to requests for help (e.g. check expiration dates, distinguish colors, read instructions)
FYI:
most calls take only a few minutes
if you are not available when a request comes in another volunteer will take the call
Mission: Best Buddies International is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities. The Citizens program matches an adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in a one to one friendship with a peer without a disability.
Website: https://bestbuddies.org/take-action/get-involved/
Phone: 212-220-8552
Email: newyork@bestbuddies.org
What volunteers do:
be a Best Buddy with support from staff manager, who helps plan shared events (commit to a year, communicating weekly, and getting together 1-2 times a month)
short-term volunteering at special events
Mission: Community Options’ mission is to develop housing and employment supports for persons with disabilities. Community Options believes in the dignity of every person, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination. Embracing this philosophy, Community Options works with individuals with significant disabilities through residential services, day programs, social enterprises that employ individuals with disabilities, high school transition programs, and specialized programs for respite and medically fragile adults.
Website: http://www.comop.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Phone: 718-940-8600 (Brooklyn/Queens); 212-227-9110 (Manhattan)
Email: AnneMarie.Russo@comop.org (Brooklyn/Queens); Regina.Tuck@comop.org
What volunteers do:
clerical help
advocacy
business networking
special events
lead classes (e.g., dance, computer, cooking)
Mission: GallopNYC provides therapeutic experiences with horses to facilitate personal development for New Yorkers with disabilities and others who benefit from our life-changing programs. Empowered by the collective support of our staff, volunteers, donors, and participants, we leverage the power of horses to support people in learning new life skills and to thrive within their communities and families.
Website: http://gallopnyc.org/how-to-help/volunteer/
Signup form: https://volunteer.gallopnyc.org/HOC__Volunteer_Registration_Page
Email: volunteer@gallopnyc.org
Phone: 855-925-5661
What volunteers do:
become part of three-person team supporting a person with disabilities in therapeutic riding activities led by certified instructor (commitment of 2 hours/week, many time slots available)
FYI:
online orientation and onsite training required
love of horses a plus
Borough: Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens
Mission: Lighthouse Guild is the leading not-for-profit vision + healthcare organization, with a long-standing heritage of addressing the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities or chronic medical conditions. Through the integration of vision + healthcare services and the expansion of access through education and community outreach, our innovative and comprehensive approach helps people achieve and maintain the highest possible level of function and independence.
Website: http://www.lighthouseguild.org/about-us/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/
Phone: 800-284-4422
Email: http://www.lighthouseguild.org/about-us/contact-us/
What volunteers do:
administrative support in health clinic (answer phones, obtain authorization, file, fax, schedule, assist new clients) -- weekday commitment
support staff in Developmental Disabilities Day Treatment program (arrival and dismissal, food preparation and recreational activities including park outings and adaptive learning experiences) -- weekday commitment
graphic design
photo documentation of events
develop/edit content for Guild Communications – occasional weekdays/evenings/weekends
assist K-12 students with vision/hearing impairment
support classroom teachers, assist with walking, play, instructional materials -- weekday commitment
assist instructors in music program for young people
provide travel assistance on field trips -- Saturdays, 10-2
office support (clerical, reception, project coordination, computer work) -- occasional weekday commitment
read to visually impaired adults -- weekly commitment, be available on call, two-hour sessions on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays
sales associate in Guild store -- weekly commitment, weekdays 10-2 or Saturdays any hours between 10-6
assist at special events -- occasional commitment
Young Visionaries leadership group fundraising – hours vary
assist instructors in recreational, educational, and social programs for youth between the ages of 7-18 who are visually impaired -- October – June, 9am – 3pm or 5pm -10pm, 1-3 Saturdays/month
FYI:
two letters of reference and experience interacting with youth required for all youth programs
Mission: Our mission is to defend and promote the fundamental principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the New York Constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy, equality and due process of law for all New Yorkers. We believe that all New Yorkers have inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government or by majority vote. They are: 1) Freedom of speech, press, petition and assembly. Even unpopular expression is protected from government suppression and censorship. 2) Freedom of religion. Each of us has the right to exercise his or her own religion, or no religion, free from any government influence or compulsion. 3) Privacy. We have the right to be free from unwarranted and unwanted government intrusion into our personal and private affairs, papers and possessions. 4) Due process of law. We have right to be treated fairly by the government whenever the loss of liberty or property is at stake. 5) Equality before the law. We have the right to be treated equally regardless of nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, disability or socio-economic status. The NYCLU fights for civil liberties and civil rights through a multi-layered program of litigation, advocacy, public education and community organizing. Our clients are men and women, rich and poor, gay and straight, black, white and brown, young and old, religious and atheist, able-bodied and living with a disability, citizens and immigrants. When we vindicate their rights, all New Yorkers benefit.
Website: http://nyclu.org/content/our-advocacy-program
Volunteer sign-up form: https://action.aclu.org/secure/volunteer-nyclu
Phone: 212-607-3300
Email: n/a
What volunteers do:
online activism
grassroots lobbying
community organizing
lobby with NYCLU in Albany (next day of action March 13, 2017)
monitor protests
writing/journalism
research
help fundraise
graphic design
multimedia support
translate (Arabic , Chinese , French, Hindi, Korean, Kreyol, Polish, Spanish, Russian, Urdu)
photography/videography
education
Mission: Founded in 1990, the New York Legal Assistance Group provides high quality, free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers who cannot afford attorneys. Our comprehensive range of services includes direct representation, case consultation, advocacy, community education, training, financial counseling, and impact litigation. NYLAG assists victims of domestic violence, immigrants seeking citizenship, elderly New Yorkers in need of public benefits and homecare, children with special needs, tenants at risk of foreclosure and eviction. NYLAG is unique for its ability to serve not only the abject poor, but also individuals and families who earn slightly above the government-designated poverty threshold. We’re able to serve this population because we neither apply for, nor do we receive, Federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funding. NYLAG has 125 community offices located in courts, hospitals, and community based organizations in all five boroughs of New York City as well as Westchester, Rockland and Long Island. We also partner with over 600 health and human services agencies across the City to provide cross-referrals and ensure holistic care for New Yorkers in need.
Website: http://nylag.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities
Phone: 212-613-5000
Email: volunteer@NYLAG.org
What volunteers do:
retired attorneys, attorneys in transition, law students and law graduates interact directly with clients and provide legal and factual research, litigation preparation, client advocacy, discovery, motion practice under supervision of NYLAG attorneys (commit to working minimum of 2 days or 15 hours per week either at NYLAG’s Manhattan headquarters or at community offices across the five boroughs)
translate and interpret
administration
development
finance
general operations
Mission: Row New York began in 2002 with the simple idea that competitive rowing paired with rigorous academic support for underserved youth could change the trajectory of their teen years and beyond. We have since taught thousands of young people the sport of rowing, and through it the values of tenacity, focus, teamwork, and confidence. Row New York teams have medaled at the New York State championships for seven years in a row, and regularly hold their own at regional regattas against athletes who have every advantage. Nearly 100% of our graduates go on to higher learning, most on scholarship. And virtually all our student-athletes report an improved lifestyle and newfound pride and purpose. We now serve 230 middle schoolers and high schoolers in our year-round intensive program, and more than 2,200 across all our programs, including PE classes in NYC public middle schools, summer camps, para-rowing for athletes with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, and programs for adults: fitness classes, learn-to-row sessions, training at both recreational and competitive levels, and corporate team-building days.
Website: http://www.rownewyork.org/volunteer/
Email: info@rownewyork.org
Phone: 718-433-3075
What volunteers do:
work with high-school students and/or disabled students, and/or disabled adults as tutor, coach, coxswain, rower, driver
office support (finance, communications, operations)
Borough: Manhattan, Queens
Mission: SUS works to prevent homelessness, reintegrate veterans into civilian life, support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, provide evidence-based programming for people with mental illness and substance abuse, and run urban farms.
Website: http://sus.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Application for working with disabled residents: http://sus.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Volunteer-Application-2016b.pdf
Phone: Minjung Park 917-408-1622
Email: volunteer@sus.org
What volunteers do:
teach classes (e.g., yoga) for small groups with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in residential programs
Spanish translator for family meetings
ASL translator for deaf resident of supportive housing
paint murals and classrooms (one-time commitment)
build play equipment (one-time commitment)
garden (one-time commitment)
admin support
FYI:
fingerprinting, background check, TB test required for volunteers who work directly with residents
Borough: Brooklyn, Bronx
Mission: VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization whose purpose is to develop and implement programs to: assist people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to lead independent and active lives in their homes and communities, and educate the public to understand the capabilities and needs of people who are blind or visually impaired so that they may be integrated into all aspects of community life. VISIONS fulfills its purpose by providing: individualized rehabilitation training at home or in the community; social services; employment training and job development; group and community education and activities.
Website: http://www.visionsvcb.org/visions/support/volunteer/adultvolunteers/
Email: Natasha DeLeon ndeleon@visionsvcb.org
Phone: 646-486-4444
What volunteers do:
read aloud (one-to-one)
escort (to shopping, appointments, etc.)
class facilitators (knitting, quilting, bowling, ceramics, walking clubs, fitness, yoga, meal service)
FYI:
volunteer application required