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@EliTheDDC
#DyslexicPositivelyUniquely
Elizabeth has dedicated 25 years of her working career to raising greater understanding and awareness of dyslexia, in her home county of Shropshire; across the Midlands, the wider UK and even a spot of international reach too!
She is a qualified teacher and a Specialist Learning Difficulties (SpLD) teacher, specialising in working with adults; she is amulti-award winner for her work as a dyslexia ambassador.
Dyslexic herself, she has experienced first-hand many of the challenges that day-to-day life can present for people with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) and her ambition to create a more dyslexia-friendly world has been the driving force behind her business model for the last 16 years.
31st January 2007, she her business The Dyslexic Dyslexia Consultant (TheDDC) offering tailor made training for businesses and organisations, along with specialist one-to-one support and mentoring for dyslexic adults in the world of work, business and commerce; supporting and encouraging employers and organisations to think and take a wholistic approach to dyslexia and neurodiversity.
Her vision has always been to make a positive difference to people’s lives, to educate, raise awareness and alter the public’s perception of dyslexics and dyslexia and her training has and continues to support a wide range of clients and organisations that share in this same vision.
By working with such organisations and working together they are changing the landscape and driving inclusivity in the workplace by opening new and better opportunities. Sometimes the smallest of changes in the work environment can make the biggest difference to how valued and happy someone feels, and we all know that feeling valued and happy drives productivity.
As well as her consultancy services, she is also the very proud founder of the Dyslexia information Day (DiD) – an annual event that is designed to help people access trustworthy, free advice about dyslexia as well as other Specific Learning Disabilities and Neurodiverse conditions such as autism, visual stress, dyspraxia and dyscalculia to name but a few.
The first event was held in 2008 and with over 2,800 visitors in attendance since then it is safe to say that they have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals gain confidence to make more positive choices about their lives.
And finally, one of Elizabeth’s biggest successes to date must be the launch of the Dyslexia Awards in 2015. Founded to provide a dedicated platform for dyslexics to showcase their achievements and become positive role models within their communities, it brings together an entire lifetime of work and devotion.
The awards are now open to the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands, visit the Dyslexia Awards website to find out more.
In 2018, Elizabeth was honoured with a special Cabinet Members Telford50 award; she was selected by Cllr. Rae Evans & Cllr. Hilda Rhodes for this special recognition award for her years of service and dedication to the town.
In 2019 , she was chosen to receive Telford and Wrekin Mayors Certificate of Recognition for her services to the borough, presented by Cllr. Stephen Reynolds (Mayor in 2019), and was invited to meet Princess Alexandra at Maws Craft Centre.
In 2020 Elizabeth won the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business in the Community award – which she say’s she shares with the amazing volunteers who make the Dyslexia information Day events what they are! and to all the clients who continue to share their stories and inspire their local communities!
On the 2nd of June 2022 Elizabeth was honoured on Her Majesty Queen Elizbeth’s last birthday honours list and made a Member of the Order of the British Empire! So she is now officially Elizabeth Wilkinson MBE! Sadly just over three months later on the 19th September 2022, Elizabeth was a guest at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s funeral at Westminster Abbey – a humbling honour she will never forget!
In 2024 Elizabeth was selected as the recipient of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce’s John Clayton Award; an award that recognises someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the local business community!
