Become a volunteer at Global Disability Summit 2025
What is the Global Disability Summit 2025?
The Global Disability Summit is an event that takes place every 3 years. In the following text we use the abbreviation 'GDS'.The GDS brings together many different people, organizations and governments from states around the world. Most importantly, it brings together people with disabilities and organizations led by them with governments and other groups/institutions.
The GDS and supporting events are:
- From April 1st till 3rd, 2025
- In the city of Berlin, in Germany
- In the event venue 'Station' at Gleisdreieck
- Stand up for the rights of people with disabilities
- Call on states around the world to be more inclusive of people with disabilities
- Inform how people with disabilities can be included in different areas of life
- Meet organizations run by people with disabilities
- The Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development)
- The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- The International Disability Alliance (IDA)
- Event planning: POOLgroup GmbH Berlin
- Volunteer planning: Special Olympics Germany
Volunteers at the GDS
Volunteers are an important part of the successful implementation of the GDS. As a volunteer, you give something very valuable: your time, your commitment and your support. As an expert in your own right, you help us and the event guests create the best possible inclusive experience.'Nothing about us without us!' is the guiding principle of the GDS, which is why we are looking for many people with and without disabilities from Berlin and the surrounding area to become part of our team and help make this event a complete success.
The volunteers work in different volunteer teams, in which they all take on many different tasks together. The areas of responsibility are explained below in the text.
The volunteer teams are led and supervised by key volunteers. Key volunteers are responsible for the main tasks and are available to answer questions and provide support.
What are the requirements to be a volunteer?
It doesn't matter whether you already have experience or are a first-time volunteer. The important thing is:- You are interested in the topic of inclusion
- You have time from March 31st till April 3rd, 2025
- You are at least 18 years old (on March 31st, 2025)
- Ideally you speak English and German, perhaps also Arabic or a sign language
- There are also areas of work where only German or English is required – please also apply even if you only speak one language
- You would like to take part in (online) training courses at the beginning of March 2025 in order to participate (dates to be announced - total time required approx. 3-5 hours)
- You will take part in the training day in Berlin on March 31st, 2025
You always wanted to
- Be part of one of the largest international events on inclusion
- Take a look behind the scenes of an event with over 3,000 participants
- Meet people with an interest in inclusion from all over the world
- Make new friends
From us you get
- Food and drinks (non-alcoholic) on site
- Volunteer clothing (t-shirt and outer layer)
- A Volunteer Certificate
- Insurance cover during your assignment as a volunteer
- And much more!
Your tasks
There are four main fields of work in which you can be deployed. These are the teams:- Outdoor area
- Accreditation
- Exhibition
- Stages
Your tasks in a volunteer team could be:
Volunteer Team Outdoor Area
- Wayfinding: guide participants to the entrance from outside the venue, welcome and greet them, and help them to find their way around the location
- Luggage drop-off: as with a wardrobe, participants have the opportunity to drop off their suitcase so that they don't have to carry it with them the whole time
- Pre-sorting accreditation: help participants to find the right queue in which to register
Volunteer Team Accreditation
- Accreditation: register the participating guests (hand out name badges and information material)
- Wardrobe: recieve and hang up the jackets and coats of participating guests and hand them out again at the end of the event
- Wayfinding: explain the route to guests and help them to overcome potential barriers
- Assistance with the blind guidance system: help people with visual impairments to find their way around the venue
- Lost and found area: run a stand where guests can report if they have lost or found something
Volunteer Team Exhibition
- Wayfinding: explain the route to guests and help them to overcome any barriers and ramps
- Assistance: take on small assistance tasks as required, for example carrying a glass to the participant's seat
- Doors: opening and closing
- Seating: help the participants of the event to find the right place, assist if necessary
Volunteer Team Stage
- Ramps: Help people in need of assistance to overcome ramps and inclines
- Seating: help the participants of the event to find the right seat, seat and assist if necessary
- Stage water: replace the moderators' water
- Tidying up: make sure the room is always clean and there is no garbage lying around
- Wayfinding: explain the route to guests and help them to overcome any barriers and ramps
Key volunteers
The volunteer teams are led and supervised by key volunteers.As a key volunteer, you will be the main contact person for a group of volunteers (5-20 people), take on the allocation of their positions and are in contact with the event team and other key volunteers.
This means you have more responsibility, not only for yourself, but also for others. You should also be able to speak both German and English. If you believe you can do this, have the desire and time, and have previous experience, then please email Anna directly at helfer@specialolympics.de for more information. You do not need to fill in the application form below to apply as a key volunteer. We will send you a link for your application by email.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about your volunteer application, please feel free to contact us. We already answer many questions in the FAQs, so please read them carefully.If your question is not addressed there, you can contact Anna at helfer@specialolympics.de for any urgent inquiries. You will also have the opportunity to ask your questions at the training sessions at the beginning of March.
FAQ
General
What is the GDS?
The Global Disability Summit is an event that will take place from April 1st till 3rd, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The GDS brings together many different people, organizations and governments from states around the world. The GDS aims to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.I am a person with disabilities. Can I become a volunteer?
Yes, 'Nothing about us without us!' is the guiding principle of the GDS, which is why we are looking for many people with and without disabilities who have the time and desire to volunteer.I have never been a volunteer before. Can I still apply?
Yes, we are very happy to receive applications from volunteers who would like to gain their first experience!Do I have to live in Germany to become a volunteer?
No, you do not have to live in Germany. However, please note that you will have to cover your own travel and accommodation costs.Are the costs for travel to and from the event covered?
No, the costs for arrival and departure are not covered. However, you will receive many other benefits such as food and drinks during your shift and volunteer clothing.Is accommodation provided for volunteers?
No, the costs for accommodation are not covered. However, you will receive many other benefits such as food and drinks during your shift and volunteer clothing.Your application
Until when can I apply as a volunteer?
You can apply as a volunteer until January 31st, 2025.Am I automatically accepted as a volunteer after applying?
No, the application is not yet an acceptance. All applications are carefully reviewed after the application deadline. You will receive an email at the end of February informing you whether you have been selected and which field of work you are most likely assigned to.I would like to participate with others as a volunteer group. Is that possible?
It is not possible to register as a group. However, you can send an email to helfer@specialolympics.de if you have any questions.What do I do if I have problems filling in the registration form?
If there are any problems, write an email to helfer@specialolympics.de with an explanation of the problem. Feel free to include your phone number if it is okay for us to call you. We will then get back to you and are sure to find a solution.I have applied to be a volunteer, but I have to withdraw my application. What should I do?
If you can no longer participate as a volunteer, please send an email to helfer@specialolympics.de. We will then delete your data and you will no longer be contacted by us about the GDS.Your commitment
How many days do I have to be available as a volunteer?
You must be available on the days from March 31st up to and including April 3rd, 2025. Final training will take place on March 31st. On the days from April 1st till 3rd the event takes place and you have to choose one shift per day.How long does a shift last?
A shift lasts between 6 and 8 hours. We will make sure that you take enough breaks.I prefer to work in the afternoon. Is there a way for me to choose which shift I am assigned to?
You can indicate your availability when you register. On the days of the event, there are shifts in the morning, in the afternoon and sometimes in the evening. You must be available for at least one shift per day.Training courses
What kind of training do all volunteers receive in the run-up to the GDS?
There will be training courses on the fields of work at the beginning of March. There will be online trainings and one face-to-face training in Berlin. You will receive the dates after your acceptance in February.The last on-site training session will take place in Berlin on March 31st. You will get to know the venue and the other volunteers.
You will receive further information about the training courses when you are accepted as a volunteer.
Are the training courses for everyone and accessible?
The training courses will be held in German and English as well as in easy language (German). We also offer simultaneous interpreting in German sign language as required. We will ensure barrier-free access for training courses held on site.If you need additional support, please send an email to helfer@specialolympics.de and we will find a solution together.
Specialist roles
What is a key volunteer?
As a key volunteer, you are the contact person for a group of volunteers (5-20 people), take over their position allocation, are in contact with the event team and, if necessary, other key volunteers. You will receive more training than normal volunteers. In return, you will receive accommodation and your travel expenses will be reimbursed.This means you have more responsibility, not only for yourself, but also for others. If you believe you can do this, have the desire and time, and have previous experience, then please email Anna directly at helfer@specialolympics.de for more information.