Eight more agricultural organisations have today (Thursday 23 June) signed a pledge to adopt good practice in communications to support those within the farming and crofting community who have dyslexia.

NFU Scotland has created a Best Practice in Communications Guide, which sets out the measures it has taken to make its communications more accessible for members on the back of its successful Farming with Dyslexia campaign.

In May, NFU Scotland launched its Guide, when the seven organisations that sit on the Farming With Dyslexia Working Group made the commitment to make their communications as accessible as possible. Today (23 June) seven more agricultural organisations signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Those that have signed the MoU have committed to review documents and other communications such as websites, emails and minutes to ensure they are dyslexia-friendly. The organisations who signed the MoU today are: NFU Mutual, Scottish Dairy Hub, Ringlink Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland, SAOS, Scottish Natural Heritage, Lantra and the Epidemiology, Population health and Infectious disease Control (EPIC) centre.

They now join NFU Scotland, Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division, Forestry Commission, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, Crofting Commission, Scotland’s Rural College and RSABI as signatories.

Over the last 18 months NFU Scotland has reviewed its communications and house style following liaison with Dyslexia Scotland, and has delivered training for staff to make documents dyslexia-friendly and more accessible for all its members.

Andrew McCornick, NFU Scotland’s Vice President commented: “With agriculture and other land-based industries being characterised by form-filling and increasing amounts of paperwork, it was clear that there was a need to simplify written and verbal communications. It is important that documents and other aspects of working life, such as meetings, are made more accessible to dyslexic farmers, crofters, and rural workers.

“We’re delighted that there are now 15 organisations, including NFU Scotland, who have taken the pledge to make their communications as accessible as possible, and this will set the bar going forward to assist not just dyslexics, but all farmers, crofters and those working within the agricultural industry.”

Notes to Editors

• For a photograph from today’s pledge signing, please email media@nfus.org.uk.
• If using social media please use the hashtag #dyslexiapledge.
• By signing the Farming With Dyslexia Memorandum of Understanding organisations commit to making their communications as accessible as possible. This was launched on 11 May, and to date the following agricultural and land-based organisations have signed it: NFU Scotland, Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division, Forestry Commission, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, Crofting Commission, Scotland’s Rural College, RSABI, Scottish Dairy Hub, NFU Mutual, Ringlink Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland, SAOS, Scottish Natural Heritage, Lantra and the Epidemiology, Population health and Infectious disease Control (EPIC).
• For any organisations who would like more information about the Farming With Dyslexia pledge, please contact clare.slipper@nfus.org.uk.

Ends

Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108