As a result of the DFQM process, Vicie Hodge, People Capability Partner at Otago Polytechnic, says that “dyslexia awareness has become more prevalent in our institution.”
“We had been working with ākonga (learners) with diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed dyslexia for a number of years, and working through the DFQM process helped us to formalise stronger pathways for these ākonga,” said Vicie.
The ways that Otago Polytechnic kaimahi (staff) have incorporated their DFQM lessons into their work and learning environment include “creating ways to seek assistance on our digi-screens and formulating a Dyslexia Charter which is visible around our campus.”
Informative posters about dyslexia displayed in the Otago Polytechnic Student Success area.
Vicie says that kaimahi “found the [DFQM] facilitators to be very helpful and quick in responding to our questions.”
This announcement comes less than two months after Literacy Aotearoa (Ikaroa-Rawhiti | Gisborne Cluster) and Y Education (PTE) were awarded the DFQM.
The DFQM online Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 30 November 2023 at 10am. Register now on our conferences and events page and help us celebrate all five organisations who have achieved the DFQM in the past year.
Otago Polytechnic continues to ‘pave the way’ in the neurodiversity space
Otago Polytechnic hosted the Neuroability Symposium on October 12-13 at their Dunedin campus. Ako Aotearoa was proud to sponsor this event, which involved presentations, workshops, and panels from individuals who were associated with neurodiversity, either personally or through their practice.
One of the presentations on the second day involved DFQM facilitators Annette Tofaeono and Chris Cole, who gave an overview of the DFQM programme.
Annette Tofaeono and Chris Cole presenting on ‘The strengths of the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark: Celebrating two years of promoting dyslexia-friendly education’.
We congratulate Otago Polytechnic for engaging with the DFQM and hosting an inclusive event that allowed tertiary educators to share their knowledge and experience in neurodiversity.
