Mowaamah Certification
Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare stays ‘Gold’ in accessibility
JHAH maintains ‘Gold’ status of Mowaamah certification for Persons with Disabilities Inclusive Work Environment.
Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has been re-accredited and maintained the Mowaamah “Gold” standing with a high score of 99%.
Mowaamah is an accreditation by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development designed for organizations who wish to enhance their work environments to be comprehensive and more supportive of persons with disabilities (PwD). Organizations awarded “Gold” certifications have a 70% to 100% compliance level; JHAH is 99% compliant.
JHAH’s chief operating officer Salem Al Shehry announced the organization’s continuous commitment to providing an inclusive and adaptive environment for everyone, including patients, family members, visitors, and employees.
“In harmony with Saudi Vision 2030, JHAH endeavors to enable everyone, including persons with disabilities, to be integrated, independent and to feel respected,” he said.
We are determined to provide an accessible, inclusive environment at JHAH, where education, job opportunities, and staff retention are conducted without discrimination.
— Salem Al Shehry
Sustaining a commitment
The PwD subcommittee continued its commitment to facilitate person-centeredness at our organization and make it sustainable.
“For us, the certification is a means to an end, our focus is the patient journey, creating the right changes in our environment for better support and accessibility,” said Tatiana Mezerhane, chairperson, PwD subcommittee.
At JHAH, the subcommittee for PwD provides oversight to the JHAH Disability Supportive Improvement Plan to ensure that JHAH’s governance, recruitment policies, premises, products, services, equipment, and training programs are inclusive for PwDs.
JHAH is among the few health care organizations Kingdomwide that chose to pursue the Ministry’s initiative and to reflect its standard in its policies, processes, and day-to-day procedures to create a sustainable culture.
Projects add to accessibility
Several projects were implemented over the last three years, including:
- JHAH acquired a small handheld device called “VictorReader Stream” that allows users to convert text to audio, which is useful for persons with visual impairment or low vision
- All clinic receptions have been renovated to have a lower desk to accommodate persons with physical disabilities who are using wheelchairs
- JHAH acquired a large braille printer that converts text files into braille in both Arabic and English. Important frequently used documents such as consent and admission forms will be made available as needed
- New renovated accessible waiting areas, washrooms, and corridors with rails were added to JHAH facilities
- Increased parking for PwDs throughout the organization were added
- Executed the MyWay navigation app voice prompts and accessible routes option. MyWay is JHAH’s navigation technology through the Dhahran Health Center
- Continued training programs for front-line staff at JHAH
- Introduced Microsoft Narrator, an assistive technology to make the JHAH workplace more accessible
- Continued the commitment for barrier-free recruitment process
- Included PwDs in our Person-Centered Care Committee and Patient and Family Advisory Councils.