This year Dyslexia Awareness Week is 7 - 13 October. According to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), about 1 in 10 people are dyslexic.
This year’s theme is “What’s Your Story?” It has three key messages and one call to action:
Every story is different – showcasing the diversity of the dyslexic community and highlighting that everyone’s experience of dyslexia is unique.
A strong opening sets the scene – raising awareness of the importance of early identification and intervention to ensure that every person with dyslexia can flourish.
It’s never too late to change your story – highlighting how the BDA can provide support and signposting to help dyslexic people begin a new chapter.
Dyslexia can have a significant impact during education, in the workplace and in everyday life. As each person is unique, so is everyone's experience of dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that can impact information processing and short-term memory capacity, creating difficulty processing and remembering. Some individuals will have developed coping and alternative strategies, for others accessing such strategy might not yet be possible. Tasks which can require more time and effort than might be expected include reviewing, processing, and writing long text or processing oral information. Dyslexia can impact upon an individual’s confidence and self-esteem, and the impact this has on an individual can often go unseen.
British Dyslexia Association resources:
- Workplace information pack, including example indicators of potential strengths and challenges
- Top tips for University students
- Top tips for Employers, including tips for improving accessibility and communication for all colleagues
Workplace information and resources
The University Workplace Adjustment Toolkit has information and guidance for staff and managers. Effective workplace adjustments remove barriers to enable staff to fulfil their potential. All managers should work proactively and collaboratively with staff to put in place workplace adjustments where needed.
All staff with a University of Sussex email account can access the Business Disability Forum Knowledge Hub. Please register on the sign-up page first to be able to access useful resources, including ‘Factsheet – Dyslexia’ and ‘workplace adjustments for neurodiverse employees’ .
Neurodiversity Staff Network
The Neurodiversity Staff Network aims to support staff who identify with neurodivergence or are curious about neurodivergence. Neurodivergence sits across social identity and medical conditions that includes but is not limited to ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia.
If you would like to join the staff network or would like further information about the network, please e-mail ndstaffnetwork_admin@sussex.ac.uk.
The network has developed a reading list, with resources including “Black, brilliant and dyslexic : neurodivergent heroes tell their stories”.
Resources and Support for Students
Information for students is available on the Disability support page and the Student Hub for health, support and wellbeing services available at Sussex.
Here students can find out more about reasonable adjustments for teaching, exams, and assessments.
Further resources
There is a Neurodivergent Researchers and Supervisors Canvas page, developed by members of the student Neurodiversity Society and the Sussex Research School.
Neurodiversity e-learning
There are two online courses that look at the strengths neurodivergent thinkers can bring to organisations and the challenges they face in the workplace. They also explore strategies and inclusive practices to create the best possible conditions for neurodivergent thinkers to thrive in the workplace.
This e-learning is recommended for managers and supervisors, and available for all Sussex staff.
Log into LearnUpon in a Chrome browser where possible then go to My Courses. You can find the courses by searching ‘neurodiversity’ in the catalogue.