I am really looking forward to the NET Conference at Keele University as it is the first time I will be presenting at a conference! I am looking forward to hearing people’s comments about my session on my experiences of nursing from a dyslexic student’s perspective and being the first dyslexic ambassador at the only university with dyslexia accreditation, Birmingham City University.
The NET2019 sessions relate to one of 13 conference themes, each providing an opportunity to debate and share research, innovation and the latest developments in healthcare education. My sessions link to inclusivity in healthcare education. I will be presenting “Establishing a dyslexia ambassadors scheme for Healthcare students: A student academic mentoring partnership project” alongside Associate Professor Nick Gee.
Statistics show at least 10% of the UK population have dyslexia, which is a figure mirrored in universities and workplaces nationwide. Everyone entering the complex and fast-paced clinical workforce can become overwhelmed or encounter challenges with assimilating educational processes and clinical practice, and students who have dyslexia regularly cite this as a challenge during their career journey.
I’ll be discussing Birmingham City University Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences pioneering a Dyslexia Ambassador role, working in partnership with the Associate Professor (Accessibility and Inclusivity) to bridge the gap between education and clinical practice for students entering the Health and Care professions.
My biggest hope from this experience is to open people’s minds to what it is like to be a dyslexic nurse and to receive feedback from people who are dyslexic and their experiences in their professions in the health sector. I hope to encourage people to not let their learning difficulty or disability affect their chances of getting their dream job.
The NET Conference will be full of exciting research that is influencing the health profession and I hope to see motivational speakers who have made changes to further encourage positive practice for the health profession and its patients. I am also looking forward to the possibility of meeting people that I could support to make positive changes, to improve care in hospital and care homes, and especially those people who have a learning disability.
Book your place on NET2019 Conference 3 - 5 September 2019, Keele University, UK