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I. Introduction

Inclusion is more about a willing spirit and positive attitude than a specific activity. Inclusion generally encompasses an approach and a process, rather than a specific program. It is about making a commitment to serve all individuals and promote the values of cooperation and community.

Inclusion means:

  • being welcoming and offering the same activities to everyone,
  • seeking to understand and accommodate differences,
  • actively reaching out to people who are traditionally excluded,
  • fostering a sense of belonging as a respected and valued peer, and
  • honoring the intrinsic value of each person’s life (Inclusion Task Force, MEAF, 2009).

The UCC Inclusion Toolkit, comprised of this guidebook and a DVD, will enable service and conservation corps to become proactive, rather than reactive, about the inclusion of corpsmembers with disabilities, including individuals with vision, hearing, cognitive, and mobility disabilities. Through education and dissemination of this toolkit, we hope to shift the paradigm and create a new corps culture that is inclusive of corpsmembers of all abilities. Most AmeriCorps and Conservation Corps programs understand the importance of inclusion, but just don’t know where to begin. This toolkit will provide corps with a step-by-step guide to becoming an inclusive program, including information on program models, sample curriculum, and adaptive equipment. The forthcoming DVD will include equipment demonstrations and interviews with AmeriCorps administrators, land managers, crew leaders, AmeriCorps members, and more, to better illustrate and explain practical inclusive concepts.

What is an Inclusive Crew?

Traditional conservation corps projects are often located in physically inaccessible areas and require Corpsmembers to be in excellent physical condition. In contrast, inclusive crew projects are intentionally selected and designed to include crew members of all abilities. Crew members with disabilities are actively involved in all phases of the project, adding a valuable perspective and knowledge that only comes with living with a disability.

The following quotes attest to the value of an inclusive crew:

Working with this crew was a wonderful experience, both from the perspective of the quality of the work done and the development of the crew members in their expertise and confidence in getting out in their national forests. This project had a lot of unknowns and the crew answered the challenge at every change. The crew went beyond the guidelines and recognized additional barriers that had not occurred to us. People with disabilities were empowered to be a part of the solution and agencies were ‘enlightened.’ We were able to see our trails and campgrounds through the eyes of the user. The completion of transition plans enables agencies to prioritize projects and could make them more competitive for limited funding.
–Ron Vance, U.S. Forest Service Recreation Resource Manager
One of the most significant benefits of an inclusive crew is to show all of us we have blinders on and those perceived limitations don’t exist. It’s for staff to learn about a group of folks we have shied away from, ‘I don’t know anything about it, so I’m going to avoid it.’ The people with disabilities on a crew can prove to themselves they can do a whole lot more than they think they can, just like our other Corpsmembers.
–Lori Gruber, Yellowstone National Park Landscape Architect
Inclusion happens when everyone is a valuable team player and nobody sits on the sidelines. On the UCC inclusive crew, crew members of all abilities are given real responsibilities and they are held accountable. Everyone’s contribution is important to the success of the project.
–Jamie Maestro, UCC Crew Leader
When you think Utah Conservation Corps, you think outdoors, but this is going to help you for the rest of your life. These people [with disabilities] who never thought they would be able to do this are doing it and working hard. It’s awesome. It’s definitely the best employment I’ve ever had.
–Jordan Pease, UCC Crew Member with a mobility impairment
Regardless of what disability you have, you are capable of anything if you have the support and motivation you need. I would highly recommend that other corps jump on board with the inclusive crew, take a look at this model, and implement it. The inclusive crew has things to offer to anybody. I feel it has opened up my opportunities and changed my life and I feel it will do the same for others.
–Quintin Williams, UCC Crew Member who is blind
This is a great program and if other crews don’t have an inclusive crew, they should. It is very important that people with disabilities can enjoy the same freedoms we have on earth, especially nature.
–Luke Lecalir-Marzolf, UCC Crew Member

Proceed to: “Why Inclusion”