Way way back in 2005 I did a little research on dyslexia and teachers and discovered that very few teachers told anyone about their own dyslexia. Many through concerns that being dyslexic would adversly affect career and job prospects. Many, if not all, believed dyslexia to be a disability that had no real positives attached to it.
As a result of this research I put together a funding bid for a new project, "Breaking the Barriers of Dyslexia". The basic premise of the project was to provide dyslexia screening, assessment, and training in dyslexia friendly work strategies for members of staff working at a college I was employed with at the time. I was lucky enough to secure £50,000 from the Learning and Skills Council for the 12 week project.
With the funding I found a fantastic dyslexia specialist to co ordinate the project Elizabeth Gentlecore. My apologies if I have not spelled her name correctly. She was totally brilliant and the projects success owes a lot to her work. We managed to provide 200 or so screenings, provided 23 members of staff with a full dyslexia assessment. We also provided training to all with dyslexia friendly work strategies and supported those who wanted it. support with Access to Work applications.
Around 2010 I was talking with a degree student who I have been providing dyslexia support over the last semester. A very bright student as well but struggling with his studies and his self confidence etc. He was expressing an interest in becoming a teacher but felt that it was not possible for him to become a teacher because of his dyslexia. He was expressing his concerns about telling any prospective employers about his dyslexia. That if he did it would adversly affect his job and career prospects. Have to say the last time I spoke with him her was doing his PHD. But it dismayed me to think he thought of dyslexia in such negative terms.
In November / December 2014 a did a little research of dyslexia again to get an idea on dyslexics thoughts on dyslexia and how they saw and felt about dyslexia. One think that came out of this research was a seed change in the way dyslexics themselves saw dyslexia. The vast majority said they felt being dyslexic was very positive. This was a great thing for me to see things, are a changing for the positive.
On the other hand most respondents felt that society still has very negative perceptions and ideas about dyslexia . So we still have a few battles to win before we make positive change for all dyslexics today and in the future.
There is far to much focus on dyslexia as a negative condition that adversly impacts on our abilities to succeed academically and in the work place. Lets face it what employer wants to take on a dyslexic who can't spell, has poor memory, a brain that does not work properly, who can't read well etc. This is what the average person in the street believes dyslexia to be. Very few mention any of the positives of dyslexia at all. So it is not suprising many dyslexics keep it a secret, including teachers.
This has to change and the only people who can effect this change is dyslexics them selves. We also have to challenge the negative stereotypical medical model of dyslexia that has very little positive to say to dyslexics and dyslexia. We have to focus of dyslexia as a difference that represents the diversity inherent within humanity. To do this we have to move away from the old medical model of dyslexia to a much more positive social model.
For every positive single article on dyslexia out there there and 20 or more negative ones.If we are ever to change people's attitudes and perceptions about dyslexia we need dyslexic teachers in classroom who are positive about being dyslexic and can act as role models and mentors to dyslexic children. We need to free dyslexic teachers from the shackles of the old medical model of dyslexia and enable them to mentor dyslexic kids in school which will enable dyslexic kids to succeed.
anyways ta for reading my blog
regards
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment