The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is to be part of a consortium, along with Digital Public and RNIB, running the Office of the Third Sector’s £2 million pilot fund in London, the West Midlands and the North-West, to help support people with disabilities to volunteer.

CAF will design, run, and evaluate the fund.

Statistics released by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office show that people with a disability are 9% less likely to volunteer than the rest of the population.

This is caused by a lack of specialised equipment, inappropriate premises, the extra cost of travel and need for support workers to provide physical and communications assistance.

John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “Volunteering should be open to everyone without exception. Charities will really benefit from the skills and experience disabled people bring.”

Grants from the fund will be awarded in five waves between late 2009 and 2011. These will be followed by an evaluation of their success.

CAF will be operating all activities associated with the grants including designing the programme, assessing applications, supporting decision making and managing grant relationships.

For charities interested in getting involved in the scheme, or who would just like to find out more, the Charities Aid Foundation has set up an enquiry line which can be reached on: 03000 123 346