Volunteer Job Denied Because of Wheelchair

I am frustrated. I applied for a volunteer job; one I felt I would be perfect for, and I was rejected because of the wheelchair. The person in charge said they want to hold the meetings in the Friendship Centre; a drop-in centre for those in poverty or are homeless and is on the second floor of a building with no elevator.

I asked if they could move the meetings downstairs to accommodate me, and she said no. It is too difficult and the group who live in poverty might not want to sacrifice their comfortable quarters upstairs. Notice how she, the paid employee, has chosen to speak up for them?

This is the very field I want to work in because I have been through the mental health system and I have come out the other end more motivated and positive than ever before. Through lived experience, I know how hard it is to survive both emotionally and physically because of poverty and mental health issues, yet I have done it. I understand and know how it is imperative for one to learn how to develop a thick skin, stay motivated, and to never give up hope. That's why, being turned down for this job because of the wheelchair is so frustrating.

Below is the job ad that was posted up in the ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Plan) office. Notice how there is nothing to indicate that, by applying, I would be barking up the wrong tree and setting myself up for another emotionally painful disappointment due to discrimination against the wheelchair.

Kingston Community Health Centres
Training Opportunity for Peer Outreach Volunteers
All Welcome

Kingston Community Health Centres has a Training Opportunity for Peer Outreach Volunteers. Peers work toward assisting street involved people who are in need of help with day-to-day living. Peers will use their knowledge that comes from personal experience to help with the immediate needs of those who don't access services. They will also support people by linking them with services they are unlikely to use otherwise.

Peers are expected to:
  • Act in respectful, non-discriminatory and non-judgemental way
  • Maintain strict confidentiality
  • Work in a safe way for themselves and others
  • Participate in all provided training

Qualifications:
  • Personal experience with/exposure to issues surrounding mental health, homelessness and/or addiction
  • Good communications skills with peers
  • Willingness to listen, learn and share
For more information about the program call [deleted]
Apply in person at [again, deleted]
Deadline December 3, 2010, 4 p.m.

The point of this Blog is to illustrate that, when creating new jobs, thought MUST be put into, not only creating a job description, but also in the accessibility of the venue where the job will be located. By not taking this into consideration, the barrier will cut out some very able, and some very willing, volunteers but it also against the law in Ontario.

To read more about the Ontario Human Rights Code and learn how to accommodate, see the Human Rights Commission Web Site (it has the Code and guidance on how to accommodate) and the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarian's With Disabilities Act) web site. It too has lots of information.

Please read my other Blogs:
Transit: http://wheelchairdemon-transit.blogspot.com
Health: http://wheelchairdemon-health.blogspot.com

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