Do I Need Special Experience to Help Disabled Adults? Here’s What Really Matters

If you’ve ever considered volunteering with VASIA (Volunteer Advocates for Seniors or Incapacitated Adults), you might be wondering:

“Do I need special experience to help someone with disabilities?”
“What if I don’t have a background in caregiving or healthcare?”

These are honest, thoughtful questions—and we hear them often. But the answer might surprise you: You don’t need professional experience. You just need compassion, commitment, and a desire to serve.

At VASIA of Johnson and Shelby counties, our volunteers come from many walks of life. Some have backgrounds in nursing, education, or social work. Others are parents, caregivers, or retirees who simply want to make a difference.

What they all have in common is the heart to help—and that’s what really matters.

Who Are We Helping?

The adults served by VASIA are often living with physical or cognitive disabilities. They may be facing dementia, brain injury, mental illness, or mobility limitations. Many are seniors; some are younger adults with lifelong conditions.

Most have no family available to help—or have been left to navigate life’s challenges on their own. They may be living in facilities, recovering from neglect, or struggling with health or housing decisions they can’t make safely without support.

As a VASIA volunteer, you become their court-appointed guardian—someone they can rely on for advocacy, safety, and stability. It’s not a medical role. It’s not about providing hands-on care.

It’s about being their voice when no one else can.

What You Don’t Need

Let’s start by clearing away the biggest myths:

You don’t need to be a medical professional

You won’t be diagnosing, treating, or making clinical decisions on your own. You’ll work with doctors, case managers, and professionals who provide the medical information—your role is to advocate for what’s best for the individual.

You don’t need to be a lawyer

You’ll be appointed through the court as a legal guardian, but we walk you through every step. We provide training, help with forms, and are always available to answer questions. You’ll never be alone in the process.

You don’t need years of experience in disability services

We provide a full orientation to help you understand guardianship and how to support disabled adults effectively. What matters most is your commitment to being thoughtful, respectful, and dependable.

What Does Matter

So what makes someone a great VASIA volunteer?

Here’s what we’ve learned from the advocates who make the biggest impact:

You show up and follow through

Disabled adults often experience inconsistent care and broken promises. Just showing up when you say you will—and staying involved—can change everything.

You listen with empathy

Whether your client is nonverbal or fully communicative, your ability to listen and understand their needs is essential. Sometimes, just knowing someone is truly paying attention brings comfort and security.

You protect their dignity

Being an advocate means ensuring every person is treated with the respect they deserve, regardless of their abilities. You speak up when something isn’t right and stand firm when your client can’t.

You believe everyone deserves a voice

Your role as a guardian is to represent the person’s best interests—not to make decisions for them, but to make decisions with their values in mind. You become the steady, protective presence they need.

Support Every Step of the Way

We know the idea of guardianship can feel overwhelming at first. That’s why we offer:

Comprehensive training before you start
Mentoring and support throughout your first case
Access to staff for questions and guidance
Clear documentation and reporting tools
A volunteer community to lean on

You’ll never be thrown into a case unprepared. We work with you to match you with a client who fits your availability and comfort level—and we’ll be by your side the whole way.

You’re More Ready Than You Think

If you’re someone who:

Feels called to serve others
Has life experience navigating hard decisions
Wants to protect vulnerable people in your community

Then you already have what it takes.

Whether you’ve worked in a classroom, hospital, office, or your own home—your compassion and common sense are your greatest qualifications.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

We’re looking for advocates just like you to join us in making sure no disabled adult in Johnson or Shelby County goes unrepresented, unheard, or unprotected.

You don’t need special credentials.
You just need a caring heart—and the courage to act on it.