Ambulance service award for being dyslexia-friendly
East of England Ambulance Service An ambulance service has become the first NHS organisation and emergency service to achieve the silver quality mark with The British Dyslexia Association.
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) said it showed the trust was leading the way in supporting staff with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
The mark is awarded to organisations that demonstrate they are developing a dyslexia-friendly workplace.
Hein Scheffer, director of strategy, culture and education, said the work was "part of a wider inclusivity plan that is focused on making EEAST a great place to work for everyone".
'Overcome challenges'
More than 150 neurodivergent staff, including those with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, are being supported across the trust by two specialist lecturer practitioners.
To achieve the award, EEAST employed the two specialist practitioners and provided one-to-one advice to neurodivergent staff on overcoming any challenges, including advice on appropriate reasonable adjustments
It has also offered a screening service to identify any potential specific learning difficulties and specialist advice to the training and education team and managers.
Justin Honey-Jones, specialist lecturer practitioner and a registered paramedic, is the dyslexia champion at the trust who has been leading the work.
He was diagnosed as dyslexic, aged 34, when completing the paramedic academy at the London Ambulance Service.
The diagnosis changed his career trajectory as he could finally start "piecing together a jigsaw that he could finally complete", he said.
He added he now wants to ensure every person who joins EEAST felt supported and able to reach their full potential.
"Achieving the silver quality mark from the British Dyslexia Association is testament to the hard work from everyone involved," he said.
"[It] identifies us as a dyslexia friendly workplace and an attractive place to work.
"The work continues as I believe we are close to achieving the gold standard."
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