Volunteering in the Disabled Community
Laura Marks
Speech 102


STATEMENT OF REASONS

Specific Purpose ~ Persuade audience to volunteer time with the disabled community.

Introduction ~ Attention
Ever had that moment in your life when you feel heroic? Or possibly you just enjoy helping others who are less fortunate than you. A great option to express these feelings is donating your time for community service. One of the most neglected areas within our community is the disabled community. Just like you and me, these people need caring arms that embrace them. Unlike you and me though, disabled people find these caring arms embracing them few and far between.

Body ~

I. Statistics of those who have disabilities in Washington State
A. In 2006, the prevalence of disabilities was measured (percentage measured by age group)
1.
• 15.7 percent for persons ages 5 + Statistics
• 6.4 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
• 7.6 percent for persons ages 16 to 20 Statistics
• 14.1 percent for persons ages 21 to 64

2. To put it more bluntly, in 2006, 61,000 of the 947,000 children ages 5 to 15 in WA reported one or more disabilities.#

a. with this large number of disabled people, a large number of volunteers is needed to help in many different ways.

II. Reasons do community service in the disabled community
A. IT”S FUN!!!! Personal Enjoyment
B. Community service hours look good on resume Personal Enjoyment
C. Personal enjoyment and fulfillment Altruism
D. Trying to look like the knight in shining armor Sex Attraction
E. (Main) Disabled people need extra care and support

III. Ways you can participate
A. Work at a disability camp
1. Joni and Friends (giving one-on-one care and time with disabled child gives you a sense of accomplishment and joy. Seeing these kids do things we take for granted and enjoy them to their fullest such us water slide, swimming, campfire, nature walks, paddle boats, and much more.)

B. Make friends or try to extend an arm or warmness towards a person with a disabled on school campus.

C. Arc of Tri-Cities
1. Organization that works with developmental disabilities
2.Office is in Richland

D. Special Olympics
1. Provides year around sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
2. Volunteer as a coach, assistant coach, chaperones, fundraising volunteer, along with many other opportunities.

IV. Conclusion ~ Action

As I’ve come to learn, finding something fun to do doesn’t always mean going out to the movies or hanging with my friends. It can be much more than that. Spending time with a person who loves you for who you are gives you a feeling of true happiness. By giving of yourself, you are giving a person who has less opportunity than you a piece of your happiness. With so many disabled people in the United States alone and a minute amount of volunteers, don’t you think it’s time we get out there and take action by loving the unlovable?

This is such a cute song!