HomeWhat is Dyslexia?AssessmentsSupport at Schools & FEHelp in the WorkplaceAbout UsContact Us
HomeWhat is Dyslexia?AssessmentsSupport at Schools & FEHelp in the WorkplaceAbout UsContact Us

Help in the workplace

Assessment is often the first step to understanding the obstacles that are getting in the way of progress and unlocking talent and self-belief.

Contact Us
Dyslexia Support in the Workplace

Dyslexia help in the workplace

People with dyslexia often have problems with reading and spelling. However, some adults with dyslexia are fluent readers but their dyslexia may show in their writing, short-term memory, organisational skills, maths abilities and the speed and way that they process information. All of these may impact on performance at work and the effect of dyslexia can worsen when an individual is experiencing stress.

Some people with dyslexia have strengths in particular areas such as creativity; awareness of these strengths may benefit your organisation. Dyslexia may prevent staff from gaining qualifications, accessing training or applying for promotions. Making your organisation dyslexia friendly could reduce stress, staff turnover and sick leave. Adjustments made for staff with dyslexia can improve motivation, loyalty and efficiency.

Your organisation should be able to demonstrate that it is making reasonable adjustments to meet the requirements of The Equality Act 2010.  This disability legislation ensures that employees with a disability are able to perform effectively in the workplace.  You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

Legal requirements of employers:

Employers have a duty to recognise dyslexia under the Equality Act 2010,if it is assessed as being a disability. This means that employers should ensure that disabled people are not treated unfavourably and are offered reasonable adjustments or support.

The law states: 'A person (P) has a disability if -

(a) P has a physical or mental impairment, and

(b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P's ability to carry out   normal day-to-day activities.

Not all people with dyslexia have impairments that have substantial or long term adverse effects and would not be seen as being disabled. This is often because they have compensated well and developed good coping strategies or are working in areas where their dyslexia may have little effect.  It is important to remember that circumstances can change if demands of a job change or coping strategies break down for any reason.

Dyslexia Awareness sessions

Making your organisation dyslexia friendly could reduce stress, staff turnover and sick leave, as well as improve motivation, loyalty and efficiency. Your organisation should also be able to demonstrate that it is making reasonable adjustments, to meet the requirements of disability legislation, so it's important that you understand dyslexia. Our dyslexia awareness sessions offer an introduction to dyslexia and co-occurring difficulties and include practical exercises, with the aim of helping you to better support your employees.

What a session will cover:

  • What dyslexia is.
  • What other hidden disabilities might co-exist with dyslexia.
  • How a dyslexic person may feel and the barriers they may face in the workplace.
  • The positive aspects of dyslexia.
  • Some guidance on how to identify difficulties and how to help an employee when dyslexia is causing a problem at work.
  • The Equality Act and how it relates to dyslexia.

We offer half and full day courses for up to 20 delegates. Bespoke awareness training, where we tailor the content to your organisation, is also available.

For further information, or to arrange an awareness session, please contact our Coventry Office.

Workplace Consultancy

We offer workplace consultancy service to help you and your staff with all the implications of dyslexia in the workplace.

Our focus during workplace consultancy is on identifying and developing strengths and the supportive management of weaknesses for each employee. We provide support to both employer and employee, including workplace coaching, which may involve help with organisation, report writing and presentations, alongside strategies for reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010.

What happens during a workplace consultation?

  • First of all we put together a picture of personal strengths and weaknesses, to help explain why some aspects of a job role may be causing problems; this will then lead to a discussion of possible accommodations or adjustments.  As much  information as possible about the individual's dyslexia will inform the consultation along with the completion of workplace questionnaires by employers and employees and observations carried out in the workplace by one of our consultants.
  • Findings will then be considered in the context of the job role, the organisation, culture and environment. Strategies and adjustments will then be advised alongside recommendations for supporting the individual employee, which will be communicated in a written report.
  • Continued support and coping strategies training, coaching or awareness training for staff will be offered if deemed appropriate, or at the employer's request. Solutions are bespoke and will be varied due to the different skills needed for job roles and individual profiles of dyslexia. Very often, simple adjustments and strategies will be all that is needed to improve an employee's performance and confidence.

Contact Us

0333 577 9422

Our centres are located in Coventry in the West Midlands.

111 New Union Street
Coventry, CV1 2NT

Teaching Centre
Trescoe House
Stoke Green
Coventry, CV3 1AA

Free 15 minute Consultations available

Assessments for adults and children starting from £250

Please phone to book

Need extra time for examinations?

We have specialist teachers that can conduct a FORM 8 for GCSE's and A levels. Please call or e mail to find out more.

0333 577 9422

Customer Reviews

A

Name

Review text.

I

Izzy Aylwin

I booked a dyslexia test earlier this year and was in a rush to meet my universities deadline. Dyslexia West Midlands were very considerate about the time pressure due to my deadline and I received my report much quicker than estimated. The test was carried out professionally and in a comfortable environment. I highly recommend if you are considering getting a dyslexia test.

chrissy d

Our son had been struggling academically, socially and emotionally at school. The team have been so patient with him and employed many different strategies to enable him learn at his own level. Suzanne came in to do an observation on him at school and provided  a detailed report to the school, suggesting many strategies the school could try to enable him to access his learning more effectively, maintain concentration for longer and generally be happier at school.

Camille Stedall

Thank you for all your assistance. We have found your team very supportive and helpful it’s be great to have your experienced advice and educational support.

M

Martin Gould

I can't praise Suzanne and her team highly enough; very professional but with a relaxed manner which creates a great atmosphere for our 9 year old son to learn in.

M

Michael John Bayley

After a discussion through a free consultation we decided to get my daughter assessed. The process was very simple and the report was very thorough. My daughter now feels more confident and happy in her approach to learning and school. Thanks Dyslexia West Midlands.

Ulrike Nichols

I only called to get more information because my daughter (year 4) really struggles with spelling. Suzanne asked a number of very precise questions and suggested to do a vision test. Now my daughter has glasses and seems much more confident. We will see how that might affect her spelling but I would never have known that she might be struggling with  her vision. Thank you so much! I am beyond grateful.