Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Monday 5°CTuesday 5°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
BusinessNews

Strabane aiming to be first town in UK and Ireland to become JAM Card Friendly

written by John September 10, 2019
ShareTweet

THE Strabane BID have launched a campaign to support people with a learning difficulty, autism or a communication barrier by becoming the first town in the UK and Ireland to become a JAM Card Friendly district.

Carriers of a JAM Card with communication difficulties can show it to trained members of staff at local businesses as a discrete and easy way of telling them they may have special requirements and may need a little extra time.

The launch of the campaign at Strabane Library was hosted by Council’s Access and Inclusion project in partnership with the Public Health Agency and had representation from NOW Group and Equality Commission NI who explained the initiative and the accompanying Every Customer Counts free toolkit.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Michaela Boyle, said the launch was the beginning of a process that would support those with communications issues and allow local businesses to demonstrate that every customer counts.

“The JAM Card is a simple, effective and non-verbal way to allow people with communication barriers to engage with staff members to ask for any additional help and support they may need,” she said.

“It sends out a positive message to locals and visitors that Strabane businesses value all their customers and that we are an inclusive town, welcoming to all and sensitive to those who may need additional attention.

“I would encourage local businesses to get involved in the application by signing up staff for the E Learning process and getting them JAM Card Friendly certified.”

The JAM Card was originally developed for those with learning disabilities and difficulties but it can be used by anyone with a communication barrier.

It can be used by people with Asperger’s or autism, those with a brain injury or people who otherwise feel self-conscious about their ability to effectively communicate when engaging with others.

Those with a communication barrier are often reluctant or unable to tell others about their condition, the card allows this to happen in a simple, effective non-verbal manner.

Louise Boyce, Access and Inclusion Officer at DCSDC explained: “Northern Ireland has a higher percentage of disabled people than anywhere else in the UK and Republic of Ireland – more than one in five of the population.

“People with a disability are amongst the most marginalised in our society and have often experienced limited opportunities to participate in activities that many of us take for granted including shopping, cultural and social activities.

“The JAM Card tools and training provided through DCSDC’s Access and Inclusion project, in partnership with Public Health Agency go in some way to creating awareness and promoting inclusiveness in everyday life in Strabane businesses.”

Equality Commission NI also attended the launch event to promote the ‘Every Customer Counts’ framework and explained the benefits to BIDS Strabane attendees.

Businesses in Strabane will have access to information on-line that is free through www.equalityni.org.

Leeann Kelly, Business Development Manager, at the NOW Group added:

“We are delighted to be working with Derry City and Strabane District Council as they become JAM Card Friendly.

“It is a pleasure to work alongside a Council that is committed to leading the way to support local businesses.

“This work will lead to Strabane becoming the first JAM Card Friendly town in Northern Ireland.

“Originally developed by our participants with learning difficulties and autism, the JAM card is now being used by a wide range of people facing communication barriers including dementia, brain injury and stroke.

“It is reassuring for customers using the JAM card to know that Strabane Businesses have been trained to recognise that they might sometimes need just a little more time.”

Businesses will now have two months to sign up to e-learning process to become JAM Card Friendly through a simply process.

All that is required is email addresses from trainees in each business which is then embedded into the e-learning portal.

They will then have an opportunity to complete on line training and receive a certificate.

If a business has no access to internet there is also opportunity to receive face to face training for groups.

To further compliment this process, marketing materials will be available for businesses who complete the training and a celebration event hosted in The Alley Theatre on Friday, December 6, 2019 as part of International Celebrations of Persons with Disabilities.

For further details please contact BIDs Business team on 02871253 253 or louise.boyce@derrystrabane.com on 02871 253 253 Extn:4349.

Strabane aiming to be first town in UK and Ireland to become JAM Card Friendly was last modified: September 10th, 2019 by John
John

Tags:
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERDerry and Strabane CouncilLeeann KellyMayor Michaela BoyleNOW GroupStrabane aiming to be first town in UK and Ireland to become JAM Card Friendly
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Catholic primate urges return to 50:50 recruitment...

16 hours ago

Walled City Market working to keep shoppers...

2 days ago

Council releases important information ahead of festive...

2 days ago

MoD to fight ruling Army shooting of...

2 days ago

Eastwood: Time for politicians to get back...

2 days ago

Council celebrate International Persons with Disabilities Day...

3 days ago

Service held in Derry for those who...

3 days ago

Crushing blow for Sinn Fein as Eastwood...

3 days ago

16 designers to pitch for chance to...

4 days ago

John McNicholl Magnificent Seven to ring in...

4 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Lurgybrack Open Farm: The perfect place for family fun this Bank Holiday weekend

    July 10, 2019
  • DD Travel feature: Vibrant Verona

    May 2, 2019
  • Lurgybrack Open Farm reopening for a season of family fun!

    April 11, 2019
  • DD Travel Feature….Majestic Madeira

    March 12, 2019
  • Top award for super Silver Tassie wedding co-ordinator Georgina Howley

    January 31, 2019

Courts

  • Man charged with rioting on night New IRA murdered Lyra McKee back behind bars

    December 15, 2019
  • MoD to fight ruling Army shooting of Seamus Bradley in Derry was disproportionate

    December 13, 2019
  • Soldier mounts legal challenge to murder prosecution of teen Daniel Hegarty in 1972

    December 9, 2019
  • Man arrested after stolen taxi crashes in Derry claims driver fled scene, court hears

    December 6, 2019
  • Man who played dead after Bloody Sunday shooting awarded £250k compensation

    December 5, 2019

Donegal Daily

  • Watch: Amazing footage by lifeboat crew at yesterday’s rescue mission

    11 hours ago
  • New statue to honour Donegal Nobel prize winner in his hometown

    12 hours ago
  • Fishermen rescued as boat is towed back to safety

    1 day ago

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Derry Daily

© 2019 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


Back To Top