AbbeyAutoline has introduced the JAM Card initiative across its operations, becoming the first insurance broker in Northern Ireland to adopt the programme.
The move aims to enhance customer interactions by supporting individuals with communication barriers.
The JAM Card, created by the social enterprise NOW Group, allows people with learning difficulties, disabilities, autism, or other communication challenges to discreetly signal when they need more time or understanding.
Available as a physical card or a mobile app, it is used by over 180,000 people globally, with more than 3,000 businesses across the UK and Ireland registered as JAM Card Friendly.
According to AbbeyAutoline managing director Julie Gibbons, the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. "At the heart of our business is the principle that every customer deserves to feel valued, respected, and supported."
“By adopting the JAM Card, we are taking tangible steps to better serve individuals with invisible disabilities or communication barriers, reinforcing our belief that accessibility and understanding must shape every customer interaction," said Justin Hillen, the director of regulatory affairs, governance, and risk at Prestige Insurance Holdings, the parent company of AbbeyAutoline.
As part of the initiative, AbbeyAutoline will deliver the JAM Card for Business training programme to its 440 employees across 15 branches in Northern Ireland. The eLearning course is designed to equip staff with the skills to recognise and respond to communication needs, ensuring that customers requiring additional assistance receive appropriate support.
"We look forward to the coming weeks and months where colleagues across all branches will undertake this training to create a more inclusive environment for both customers and other colleagues,” Hillen added.
The rollout of the JAM Card Friendly training will take place over the coming weeks, with employees across all branches expected to complete the programme. According to the NOW Group, this training enables businesses to create more inclusive environments for individuals with invisible disabilities.
"By embracing the JAM Card initiative, AbbeyAutoline demonstrates a genuine commitment to accessibility, fostering deeper, more meaningful connections with both their customers and colleagues,” said Nicola Tipping, NOW Group business development manager.
NOW Group supports people with learning difficulties and autism in finding long-term employment and works with businesses seeking to promote neuro-inclusion.
The introduction of the JAM Card aligns with AbbeyAutoline’s wider advocacy for providing services tailored to customers with special needs. This commitment was highlighted during the company’s 50th-anniversary programme in 2023, where it supported over 40 charity and voluntary organisations.
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