Dyslexia and Reasonable Adjustments

It’s known that many companies are afraid to take on a dyslexic person into their workplace.

This may be because employers think that they may be trouble or need constant attention in doing their job.

This is far from the truth, they are just the same as other employees, but the only difference is that they have a learning difficulty.

Employers have to learn not to be ignorant about dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty, but it does not mean that they can’t cope with work, and that they can not read or write.

People that are dyslexic that understand their dyslexia will be able to get a good education and work in the area of their choice.

There are different strategies that may help dyslexics cope but not all the strategies would benefit all dyslexics.

Many dyslexic adults don’t know that they are dyslexic or found out in their adult years.

This may have caused them the problem of not knowing where their talents lie as well as not knowing their strengths and weaknesses.

This is one of the reasons why problems occur when it comes to education and work. It is important that they find the right working environment that suits them as a person as well as suits their abilities and needs.

It maybe beneficial for you as an employer to send your employee to an Access to Work programme if they haven’t already been on one, as this would help them build in the areas that they need for everyday work.

This programme helps with their self esteem, confidence and helps them deal with every day situations as well as the skills to communicate well with the outside world.

The outcomes of this programme would be identified by a professional assessment, which shows what changes and adjustments would need to be made to help your employee to work to the best of their ability and work effectively.

All dyslexics are different, so requirements for one dyslexic may be different for another.

Remember that dyslexics can be an asset to the business as they have good ideas as well as a good imagination. They see things that others don’t as they see the whole picture from different angles.

They may need adjustments made to help them work better. These adjustments may be items like voice activated computers or readers, mind mapping software. But this can be funded by the government.

The strategies which have been given to dyslexics to help with work and education have been proven to work as they help the individual cope with their dyslexia.

Below are some guidelines to help you the employer be a dyslexic friendly employer. These strategies would help not only your dyslexic staff but benefit everyone in your work place.

Dyslexics may need one or several of the strategies which will be suggested below to cope with work. But some of the dyslexics may not need any help with strategies.

It is important to understand that these strategies may not suit them as they may be inappropriate to their needs. This is why the professional assessment is good to have when finding out the needs and requirements for the individual.

Written communication

Dyslexic people may have difficulties with reading and writing. So it is very important that there are alternatives in giving them information e.g. audio, videotapes, drawings, diagrams and flow charts.

But remember that that some dyslexics may not like this way of having information presented to them so time may be needed.

When the dyslexic has a task to complete at a set time, it is important that they are not distracted. Employers should give them enough time to read and present their work.

It is essential to give a summary or key points on paper as well as verbally so that they can understand and digest the information.

It would also be beneficial for your dyslexic employee to have words highlighted on documents if they are important key words or points.

If possible make sure that information is written in Ariel and font size 12 as this would be easier to read. Also allow employees to have access to a photocopying machine to enlarge print if needed.

Using software like mind mapping, voice mail, speech and text, proof readers and spell check would help them plan out their work as well are keeping them organised and this would make them work quicker and more accurately.

But not all these methods would work as some dyslexics may find it embarrassing and don’t want to stand out from the rest. This is why it is good to discuss with the employee what would suit them.

Maybe having their own office away from everyone else and all the noisy distraction could help them.

Verbal communication

Poor short term memory may be associated with some dyslexics. This consists of them finding it hard to remember and follow instructions.

However, if given instructions one at a time and slowly, clearly and in a quiet place, they would be able to understand.

Writing important points of information is useful so that the dyslexic can refer back to the notes and clearly know what needs to be done if they have forgotten.

It would also be a good idea for them to write their own notes, so post it notes should be at their desk so that they can use them.

If giving verbal instructions give it in plain simple English and get them to repeat it back to you so that you can make sure that they have understood what you have said to them.

Don’t underestimate a dyslexic person’s ability to do things as they are very good at their work once they know what they are doing. When having conversations, don’t assume that they don’t understand and don’t treat them as if they are a child as this is what has been happening all their lives and makes them feel inferior and results in lack of confidence and self esteem.

 

 

Working and planning time

Many dyslexics need to work in a quiet workplace as they get distracted easily.

This would help them concentrate on the tasks and complete their work.

Distractions like loud noises, doors, phones and machinery can distract them and make them lose their place in the work they are doing and they have to start again.

This is time consuming for them and for you the employer.

Allocating your dyslexic employee a quiet workplace, that is private and away from distraction. This would be ideal.

But if that can’t be done, maybe an alternative is for them to work from home.

It’s good to use a “do not disturb” sign when intense concentration is needed to complete a complex task.

This is important when doing hard work and it should be noticed by other employees and the dyslexic should not be disturbed unless necessary.

If they are to be interrupted then they should be allowed to finish what they are writing so that they can pause. It is also good for a dyslexic to finish one task before starting another as they may forget what they are writing.

It would be a good idea for the dyslexic to go on some sort of training to help them with their working environment and show them the skills needed to do there job.

That is why Access to Work would be good.

Dyslexics should keep a diary to keep up to date with important information for the day or week.

A wall planner which highlights appointments, deadlines, tasks and projects would help them keep organised.

As well as having a calendar and alarm, they should also have software on their computer that keeps appointments and organises their day.

Their work area should be neat, tidy and organised and have everything that is needed to make their job easier.