Here are some of Ernie’s Tips and favourite resources…
Ernie’s Tips – Disability Champions
Having a disability champion or champions in your organisation ensures the organisation maintains an inclusive culture, but what do they do?
- A disability champion enables an organisation to stay disability aware confident and compliant. They do this by having conversations and giving information on disability in the workplace.
- Offer support to those affected by a disability. For example, seeking adaptations and accommodations within the workplace.
- Assist employers engaging with employees.
- Help organisations to embed inclusive language and actions.
- Assist in resolving issues at a grassroots level.
If you would like to know more or interested in having members of staff trained to be a Disability Champion, please get in touch.
Email: John@eagleswingsconsultancy.co.uk
Call us on – 07772 470 388
Ernie’s Tips – Bring the outdoors inside
While it’s good to spend time outdoors in nature, have you considered the benefits of bringing the outdoors into your place of work?
Having ‘Green Areas’ in the workplace (even if they are plastic plants) can have a positive effect on a person’s mental health. Also, access to natural light can also improve employee’s productivity.
Adding small changes, like plants into the workplace can improve the space both physically and aesthetically. It also demonstrates an employer who values the mental health of their employees.
Additionally, it’s also important to remember your workspace at home. Where possible sit near natural light, take regular breaks and adding a ‘Green Area’ to your work area.
Ernie’s Tips – Communicating with those affected by a brain injury
A person’s brain injury is unique, however many people affected by a brain injury present some common traits. This factsheet will help you understand some of these traits.
Short-term memory
Short term memory can be impacted following a brain injury. Using memory aids, backup emails and texts to assist with the memory is helpful. Also, tools like, notepads and memory aids on a mobile phone device can be helpful.
Information overload
A brain injury can cause the brain to work harder to achieve tasks causing overloaded. This may impact cognitive levels which can result in people saying “yes” to questions and agreeing as this may be the easiest response. This may lead to plans being cancelled. It’s best to keep questions specific and avoid yes/no answers where possible.
Fatigue
Fatigue will be different for each person. It can affect the cognitive and physical ability making the person feel very tired. Monitoring fatigue levels is important. Asking what their symptoms and signs of fatigue are will help you understand how to monitor their fatigue levels.
Lack of self insight
Fatigue will be different for each person. It can affect the cognitive and physical ability making the person feel very tired. Monitoring fatigue levels is important. Asking what their symptoms and signs of fatigue are will help you understand how to monitor their fatigue levels.
Ernie’s Tips – Background Noise In The Office
When it comes to noise levels in the office, there are small changes that can make a big difference and these do not need to cost a lot.
Why is it important or why change?
Background noise can agitate the brain and the cognitive processes (how we think). Furthermore, it may also affect fatigue levels, which in turn can impact a person’s mood.
Quick wins
Using softkey keyboards, lower other surrounding noises like radio or music, use noise cancelling headphones, ‘Do Not Talk To Me I’m Working’ signs and having potentially loud meetings away from where others may be working. These small changes can make big differences. To know how Eagles Wings Consultancy can help your organisation support with those with neurological conditions please contact John@EaglesWingsConsultancy.co.uk.
Ernie’s Tips – Tiredness vs Fatigue
Tiredness vs Fatigue
There is a difference between tiredness and fatigue.
When a person gets enough rest and sleep, they usually feel refreshed. Fatigue on the other hand can make a person so exhausted that it affects their daily life.
How to help?
Ask the person what their coping strategies are. These may be different in each person. Ask how you can support, as showing understanding helps. Fatigue can seriously impact neurodiverse conditions.
Within the work environment, be aware of Digital Fatigue. Having a work environment at home or in the office that encourages regular breaks away from the screen will support staff wellbeing. To achieve this, we need to build a plan into working patterns and support regular breaks. Furthermore, this also helps to manage signs of fatigue.
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