quality education for a healthier scotland dyslexia raising awareness

Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland

DyslexiaRaising awareness


Learning outcomes

By the end of the training session, you will have an awareness of:

• the characteristics of dyslexia

• how features of dyslexia may be displayed in the workplace/education setting


•the support available to individuals who show signs of dyslexia and how to access this support

•methods that will assist individuals in the immediate learning or workplace context

•relevant statutory responsibilities in relation to dyslexia.


What is dyslexia?


What Is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which affects 10% of the population and is most commonly characterised by difficulties with the acquisition of reading, spelling and writing skills.

Frequently, mathematics and aspects of spoken language are affected. Dyslexic people often suffer from auditory processing difficulties, poor organisational skills, poor physical co-ordination and directional confusion.

The majority of dyslexic people have poor short-term memory that causes an inability to retain sequences of numbers and words, and instructions to carry out simple tasks. Except for the common difficulty with written language no two dyslexic people exhibit the same range of associated characteristics. Dyslexia affects people across the whole spectrum of ethnicity, socio-economic status and intellectual ability.“

(Dyslexia Scotland 2004)


Yellow black red yellow green red blue

Green blue black yellow red red green blue pink brown blue yellow black pink green brown yellow pink red green blue black pink red purple green yellow black brown blue green green blue red pink

Yellow black red yellow green red blue

Green blue black yellow red red green blue pink brown blue yellow black pink green brown yellow

brown blue yellow black pink green brown yellow pink red green blue black pink red


Dyslexia is not ...

• due to low intelligence• the result of an emotional or

psychological condition• an excuse to get preferential treatment

in education or employment• an insurmountable barrier to success.


An individual with dyslexia may...

• be a poor or hesitant reader• have difficulty understanding written text• have difficulty with organising tasks and

written work• have poor handwriting skills


What is Dyslexia?An individual with dyslexia may ...

• have poor spelling• difficulty remembering oral instructions• difficulty with time management• have difficulties expressing ideas clearly in speech or

written work• have poor directional skills• have family members with similar difficulties• lack self confidence


An adult with dyslexia may have..

• good intuitive thinking and problem

solving skills• good innovative and lateral-

thinking skills• good empathetic/people skills• strong creative talents• strong determination to succeed


How can we help?


How can we help?

• Confirm dyslexia or otherwise• Ask the individual what would help them• Adjustments should be appropriate for

the individual• Adjustments need not be complicated or

expensive


Adjustments in the workplace may include ...

• use of prompt sheets• use of assistive technology such as screen readers or

speech-to-text software• use of templates for reports or electronic versions of

forms.


Adjustments in a learning environment may include ...

• recorded lectures• providing handouts/lecture notes in electronic format• using different fonts/paper colour• using different methods to assess knowledge


Why do we need to know about dyslexia ?


Why do we need to know about dyslexia ?

The Equality Act 2010 brings together all current discrimination legislation to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act

• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not

• foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic.


1. Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.

2. Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.

3. Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.

This means ...


Benefits of the equality duty

• Compliance with the general equality duty is a legal obligation, but it also makes good business sense.

• An organisation that is able to provide services to meet the diverse needs of its users should find that it carries out its core business more efficiently.

• A workforce that has a supportive working environment is more productive.

• Many organisations have also found it beneficial to draw on a broader range of talent and to better represent the community that they serve.

Source: www.equalityhumanrights.com


Further information

Dyslexia Scotland

www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk

Tel: 01786 446650

Helpline: 0844 800 8484

Jobcentre Plus

Information about Disability Information Adviser and Access to Work

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

British Dyslexia Association

www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk


Ability Net – for information and advice on ICT http://www.abilitynet.org.uk

Information on the Equality Act 2010

www.equalities.gov.uk

Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline – Scotland Tel: 0845 604 55 10www.equalityhumanrights.com

Further information

quality education for a healthier scotland dyslexia raising awareness

Documents

dyslexia scotland

healthier scotland dyslexia

quality education

characteristics of dyslexia

signs of dyslexia

features of dyslexia

awareness slide

poor directional skills