It’s Dyslexia Awareness Week! ⭐
We asked some of our dyslexic employees at Real Group what message they would want to send to employers and what has personally helped them in the workplace.
Here’s what they said:
💬 "Dyslexic thinkers bring creativity, problem-solving and fresh perspectives to the workplace, exactly the kind of thinking we need in a fast-changing world. Employers should recognise this." - Kate Sutton, Dyslexia Action Tutor
💬“Everyone’s experience of dyslexia is different, so if in doubt - ask! One thing I’ve found useful is when I’ve had a conversation (planned or impromptu) with a colleague and an action point arises, if they can follow up with an email with a clear 'subject' it acts as a helpful prompt.” - Dr Hélène Cohen, Real Training iSENCO Tutor
💬 "Dyslexia can mean some tasks take greater effort, but processing information differently also brings unique opportunities - such as creative problem solving and strong interpersonal skills. Things like voice recognition software can help level the playing field." - Jessica Milligan, Real Training Module Leader
People experience dyslexia differently, but here are a few suggestions for employers:
🚫 Avoid:
Meetings without agendas
Dense email prose that could be bulleted
Heavy-handed critique of spelling/grammar issues
Putting people on the spot in meetings
Giving multi-step instructions, rapidly and all at once (especially verbally)
✅ Ideas for support:
Send short videos to accompany pdfs/decks (ScreenPal, Loom, etc.)
Send documents well in advance of meetings
Offer a trusted colleague as a critical best friend/proofreader
Break large projects into clear, agreed-upon milestones
Create opportunities to come up with a new process/reverse a problem/think creatively
Enable AI to take notes in meetings
Remember to always ask the individual.
Inclusive practices like these can lower friction and improve clarity for your entire team.
#DyslexiaAwarenessWeek #NeurodiversityAtWork #InclusiveWorkplace #DyslexiaInTheWorkplace #DAW26 #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth