Volunteers Engaging In Informal Educational Services For Disabled Communities In Malaysia: An Analysis of Personality And Communication Characteristics

Support for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) encompasses not only physical assistance but also educational services in informal settings. Although there are various volunteer organisations globally, there is limited dedicated outreach for people with disabilities (PWD) in Malaysia, resulting in reduced awareness and understanding of Islam within this community. Specialised methods are essential for effectively delivering Islamic education by individuals or volunteer organisations. The personality and communication traits of volunteers are crucial in providing informal educational services to communities with disabilities. Recognising the need for substantial manpower and specific skills, this study underscores the importance of youth volunteers in addressing PWD needs. This research aims to explore youth volunteer engagement in informal education for disabled communities by analysing the personality and communication characteristics of volunteers through a fuzzy Delphi approach. Using a design method and a developmental research (DDR) approach, the study examined the second phase of the Fuzzy Delphi methodology. Thirteen experts participated in this study to evaluate and rank the key elements necessary for creating a model focused on volunteer outreach efforts for persons with disabilities (PWD). The expert panel identified 30 elements of personality and six elements of communication that achieved 70% or higher agreement, indicating their suitability for inclusion in the model. These findings provide a valuable reference for developing training modules for volunteer services, particularly those targeting people with disabilities (PWD). By enhancing volunteer training, this research promotes a more inclusive Islamic education and support for communities with disabilities, thereby influencing similar global initiatives.