Barwon Health is the first organisation in Australia to have its volunteer service awarded with Scope’s Communication Access Symbol.
The award, unveiled on 4 May, recognises our McKellar Centre Volunteer Services team have the skills to successfully interact with people who have communication challenges which may be a result of a stroke, brain injury, trauma or other communication barriers.
The Communication Access Symbol helps community members identify businesses and services that are communication accessible. It gives people with communication difficulties confidence that at these places, the symbol they will be treated with respect and as valued customers, and will be supported to participate, be included in discussions, and be able to have a say.
The Communication Access Symbol has now been successfully awarded to the McKellar Centre Volunteer Services information desk, main reception desk, Community Rehabilitation Centre reception and Café 45. These services will be listed on the Scope Directory of Communication Accessible Places.
The symbol joins other universal symbols in providing instant recognition of businesses and services which provide access for people with a disability.
Barwon Health Acting Chief Operating Officer, Dr Lucy Cuddihy, said the award highlighted Barwon Health’s vision to be a leader in providing accessible healthcare services and recognises the important role volunteers play in this vision.
“A key component of providing high quality, safe healthcare and rehabilitation services to the people of Geelong, is ensuring that our services are accessible to all. This ensures the community is provided with personalised healthcare, which results in improved health outcomes for the people we serve,” Lucy said.
“We are very proud of the staff who have achieved this award and are committed to continuing with this work. It is our aim to use what we have learned through the assessment to make all of our sites communication accessible in the future.”
