Employment

Dyslexia Support

Support for employees with dyslexia in the workplace is available through our work based support scheme. We offer vocational support in the workplace that aids specific traits of dyslexia. Our support service aims to act as a 'middle ground' between the employee and employer to enable the best working environment for both parties.

For more information on our experience of supporting employees in co-ordinance with the employer please see the following example.

Promoting dyslexia awareness in the workplace

We aim to promote positive attitudes towards working environments towards dyslexia. Our two-day training course is aimed at those who are working with adults who have dyslexia such as learning difficulty professionals, education policy advocates, college student support personnel and social support workers. The course aims to explain identification processes of dyslexia and provide guidance on the traits of dyslexia as well as advising on what facilities could be of benefit to someone with dyslexia.

The Dyslexia Foundation dyslexia training course is either 1 or 2 days and is accredited by BTEC at Level 3. The training is aimed to give the individual the skills to work and support dyslexic adults. This covers the history of dyslexia, identification, teaching practice and working practice. The training has been undertaken by many national and regional organisations working in the public, private and third sector. It can be delivered in a bespoke manner addressing all attendees' needs and is a brilliant and accessible two day course introducing the different elements of dyslexia. It provides real experiences from our clients that act as a good method of the explanation of dyslexia.

The awareness course broaches subjects that encourage dyslexic friendly models of good practice such as:

• Views and attitudes on dyslexia self-awareness and learning styles in dyslexia.
• Identification of dyslexia and the ability to put in place support for someone with dyslexia in education and in employment.
• Disability legislation.
• Case studies and significant court cases involving dyslexics.
• Highlights of what support is available.

Example of our experience of support

We were introduced to a prisoner on remand. Bernard was 37 and had self-diagnosed his dyslexia and had initiated contact with us to help him address his issues related to studying and his dyslexia characteristics. We tracked Bernard from Merseyside and visited Bernard periodically to identify his dyslexia and mentor him through his learning curve.

Bernard accomplished varying success in prison studying nutrition and sport. On release from prison after 2 years, we were instrumental in Bernard attending an access course to gain entrance to university. Bernard received a loan of a laptop from us and was offered mentoring session to enable him to complete his course of study. Bernard achieved his access qualification and after some considerable effort is now in his first year of a degree. Although he has chosen change his study path and has subsequently enrolled on an undergraduate law degree.

The mentoring and ICT intervention have enabled Bernard to undertake a course of study that was unattainable prior to his imprisonment. Bernard felt that school had let him down and he had underachieved considerably and feels that the degree will be a new start to his life. Bernard now understands that his learning disability has impacted on his life and is now very positive about the future.