Becoming an Approved Assessors:

Becoming a Harris Foundation practitioner can be a rich and rewarding experience for anyone because of the satisfaction in being able to really help a dyslexic who is in a disadvantaged position from the start. Harris Foundation practitioners do not need to be doctors or opticians although there is a clinical basis to the work (and dyslexics who undergo assessment are referred to as ''patients'' because of this). Fortunately, although there is training to ensure that a new practitioner is in a position to start to provide consultations, this is not onerous with the course usually taking place over one day and it may be conducted on a one-to-one basis in a relaxed setting, usually in a hospital or university. The initial training covers the background to dyslexia, the history of aids for dyslexics and the various systems that have been developed, how Harris Filters work and how they are prescribed.

Providing the new practitioner has satisfactorily completed the course and wishes to continue they become a certified practitioner and are able to take away a diagnostic set and all the required materials so that they are able to start assessing their own patients straight away if necessary. Although each newly certified practitioner may take away a diagnostic set, they never actually own it themselves as it is always the property of The Harris Foundation. All certified practitioners are welcome to keep a diagnostic whilst they are actively using it and further clarification is available from The Harris Foundation itself.

The Harris Foundation is currently recruiting new practitioners throughout the UK so that a broader population base is still able to be covered. The aim is for dyslexics to be able to be assessed so that any dyslexic might be able to obtain Harris Filter spectacles without geographic bias.

Continuing with the Foundation's charitable aims to help as many children as possible, practitioners are expected to pay a one-time fee for their training and the use of a diagnostic set whilst registered as active practitioners. The good news is that practitioners may set their own prices up to a given maximum for the consultation and spectacles and in this way the system becomes self-funding. New practitioners will be self-sufficient and actively find a source of their own patients who will be able to pay for their assessments and spectacles. Interest free credit might be available if required. A proportion of each sale that is paid by the practitioner to the Harris Foundation is used towards further research, the cost of spectacles and to cover the costs of children from families that are eligible for Foundation assistance from its benevolent fund.

Practitioners will ideally be placed in situations which bring them into contact with children with learning disabilities or in general education. It would be helpful for them to have some contact with G.P. surgeries or optical practices as well. Confidence and a professional attitude are of more importance than formal qualifications although a good standard of education and literacy will be expected. The Foundation requests that all practitioners are CRB checked, which is a legal requirement for all adults working with children and is easily completed at CB Screening.

The Harris Foundation will provide full training in carrying out assessments and ongoing support. Any enquiries that come through the Foundation will be passed to the appropriate practitioner.

The Foundation is presently seeking Registered Charity status but is currently operating as a Social Enterprise and has a non-profit policy. Under this proviso all income goes towards fulfilling the goals and aims of the right to read and write to children suffering from dyslexia and other reading difficulty.

Funding is paramount to the success of these aims and we would welcome and support any fund raising activities that practitioners, parents and well-wishers are able to offer.