Here is the news from Dyslexia Pathways CIC

ABOVE A PICTURE OF OUR DYSLEXIA PATHWAYS LOGO

 

Hi blog readers hope you are all well......Hey hey spring is here. The birds are twittering and the bees are buzzing and some of the spring flowers are blooming. Always fab to see the colours, smells and sounds of spring arriving.

News on the Dyslexia Pathways Hub:

Well lots of action going on here. over the past few weeks we have had meetings with a number or organisations to help us move forward with this endeavour. About ten days ago I met with Caroline Parkinson who is a mentor with the Cultural Enterprise Office Scotland. Caroline is a Business Planning Industry Associate she was very positive about the hub and has been making a few introductions for us with people who are be able to enable us to move forward with this.

With a project as big as the one we are attempting to get off the ground we have to be prepared for a marathon rather than a sprint.

In a recent paper published by the European Parliament said the Dyslexia Pathways CIC was, "leading the way for social inclusion" through social enterprise. 

At my first meeting at the Cultural Enterprise Office

they said. "There’s potential for internationalism, a

very strong social justice angle as well as the

inclusion aspects of the project". 

As with many dyslexics I am very good at seeing the

big picture, I have a strong vision of where I want us

to go. I have the big picture plan.

The Cultural Enterprise office wrote' " A reality of

dyslexia is that sequencing is a challenge. A ‘big picture’ vision

can be vividly achieved but the detail is more difficult to bed in.

The starting point is also clear but the steps that should follow are

not. He has a holistic approach and a needs driven approach in his

work and way of operating."






We have done a lot of the ground work but there is
 

much more to be done.  


Problems that need to be solved:

We need to have more people involved in this

venture. Volunteers who can help with our web sites

and social media or who support writing and finding

funding bids and funders, people who have expertise

in marketing etc.


We have just sent off a funding application for

volunteers fingers crossed. A big thanks to Carolynn

Cruickshank Grey for putting this bid together.

Carolynn us herself dyslexia and has been a fab

director, source or ideas and of support.



I am still in financial difficulties because of the loss of

income I suffered from my heart attack. I have had

to pay out money to keep our web sites up and

running with money that I have not really got. If it

were not for the support of my wife I do not know if I

could have kept it all going.


However, I have just started to market new dyslexia

services including dyslexia awareness training etc. So

I am hoping that will bring in some much needed

funds to pay my bills with. For more information

please visit our web site: 


http://www.dyslexiapathways.com/#!what-we-do/cjg9


Then we have our little dyslexia online shop selling

dyslexia positive clothing items such as tee shirts,

sweat shirts and hoodies. A huge thanks goes out to

another of our directors Catriona Maciver for her

invaluable input, support and work on our dyslexia

and neuro difference logo designs. She is another fab

creative dyslexia and entrepreneur.

Here is the link to our Unique Dyslexic online shop:


http://stores.clothes2order.com/unique-dyslexic/dyslexic/


On the plus side it does give us an on line shop. On

the down side its not them most dyslexia friendly and

they are a tad expensive. I am researching funders

to see if we can add a dyslexia friendly online shop to

our Dyslexia Pathways CIC or Unique Dyslexic site.

We could also offer goods from other creative

dyslexics in that shop.






Ideas, ideas and ideas:

My strength are ideas, creativity and problem

solving. I have plans for games and apps, for school

dyslexia mentoring scheme, I have written a synopsis

for my dyslexia book etc etc.


When it comes to

something like the finances I would never have

coped without the support of my wife and another

director of Dyslexia Pathways CIC who has been a

fab supporter of our work.

when I am feeling down


she gives me the support and occasional kick up the

backside I need when I am struggling.  

Blimey I think that's enough for this blog...... once I

start writing I find it hard to stop.

Thanks for reading much appreciated

regards

Steve

PS Finally a big thanks to Cultural Enterprise Office

who have been fab and dyslexia friendly

Dyslexics: The fab 10%

We are the fab 10%:
 
Dyslexia to me is more than a label. Dyslexia is a part of who I am not just an add on its is me. Being dyslexic defines me in many ways. Too often we talk about dyslexia like there is me the here is my dyslexia like its something that is standing next to me. But it is not dyslexia is an integral part of me, of every dyslexic and a very important one at that. 
 

I am dyslexic but I do not have dyslexia. There is a difference.

 
It is not good enough that so many of us end up in prison. 50% of people in prison are dyslexic. It's no longer good enough that our education system marginalises us. It is a waste of our lives and a waste of our potential.
 
We dyslexics are not inherently criminal.       
Many of us leave school with low or no qualifications. We may have struggled with un assessed dyslexia through out all of our education. As a result many of us leave school with low self esteem and self confidence. Then we find it difficult to find employment and succeed in training courses.


I have met with many dyslexics failed by any training for employment they attend simply because no support is available. Trainers are not trained to meet their learning needs. 
 
We dyslexics can end up being marginalised even further and as a result make bad choices that can end up with breaking the law. In general dyslexics have average to high IQs and I don't think any non dyslexic can imagine how it feels to be a bright individual facing seemingly impenetrable barriers that society places in front of us.
 
Politicians should see dyslexia as a preventative spend issue. Enable us to succeed at school and achieve according to our potential. Nurture dyslexics at school instead of remediating failing us. We could have over 50% of entrepreneurs being dyslexic instead of 35%. Just imaging what a benefit to the Scottish economy that would be. What a preventative spend investment that would be.
  
I feel sorry for all those non dyslexics out there who will never see the world as I do, who can only see little bits of a big picture I can see and who will never solve problems like I do.
 
We are the fab 10%. I know for many my words may appear hollow or utter crass lunacy. But it is society that disables dyslexics and this disabling starts from day one at school and an education spectacularly fails too many of us.
 
We dyslexics succeed across all areas of our society and many do so in spite or our experience of education. #uniquedyslexic #vivaladifference.

If you would like to find out more about Dyslexia Pathways or Unique Dyslexic Eye, please contact

Steve McCue on: 078 287 414 73 or by email at:

stephen.mccue@dyslexiapathways.co.uk

Alternatively visit our web site at:

www.dyslexiapathways.com

Thanks for reading

Steve McCue #PeaceLoveGroovyness to you all

Dyslexia; not all abilities are visible



We must argue / fight for a more positive dyslexia agenda:

I will say this again lol ‪#‎dyslexia‬ is a difference that reflects ‪#‎diversity‬ ‪#‎uniquedyslexic‬ ‪#‎vivaladifference‬ ‪#‎dyslexiapathwayscic‬.

The medical model of dyslexia has nothing positive to say about dyslexia or to dyslexics. That's why my organisation, Dyslexia Pathways CIC promotes and supports the social model of dyslexia.

We believe that neuro diversity is as important as biodiversity. On planet earth, indeed the whole universe, nature thrives and grows through diversity and it would be a very boring place without it.

The same goes for humanity which would be pretty sterile if it were not for diversity.

What the medical model defines as defect the social model defines as difference.

When the medical model says we must remediate, the social model says we must nurture.

#‎dyslexia‬ its about hidden abilities ‪#‎uniquedyslexic‬ ‪#‎vivaladifference‬ ‪#‎dyslexiapathwayscic‬ ‪#‎socialenterprise‬ social model of dyslexia a new way forward.

News about Dyslexia Pathways CIC dyslexia awareness training in Fife and Central Scotland:

In 2016/17 Dyslexia Pathways CIC is working in

partnership with Healthy Working Lives Fife to deliver

four half day dyslexia and neuro difference

awareness training sessions in Fife. These open to

businesses, organisations, individuals or anyone with

an interest in Dyslexia.

The venues to be confirmed but the training sessions

will each last three hours and will be held on:

April 15^th, May 20^th, June 17^th, July 22^nd   and

September 12th.


The cost has been part subsidised due to funding

provided by Foundation Scotland and has been kept

to the low price of £30 per participant per training

session.

This specialist training will enable a better

understanding of dyslexia and neuro difference, to

become dyslexia and inclusion friendly, recruit and

sustain a more effective, inclusive and diverse

workforce, and enable employers and organisations

to meet their statutory duty under the 2010

Equalities Act.

The training sessions will include:

ü  What is dyslexia?

ü  Definitions and models

ü  Dyslexia and legislation (2010 Equalities Act)

ü  How to be a dyslexia friendly employer

ü  Being dyslexia positive

ü  Models of Dyslexia

ü  A business case for dyslexia

ü  Assistive technology and free dyslexia friendly options

If you would like to pre-book a place on one of these

training sessions, or find out more about them or

about other services we provide, please contact

Steve McCue on: 01592 756 187 or by email at:

stephen.mccue@dyslexiapathways.co.uk

Alternatively visit our web site at: www.dyslexiapathways.com

Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Please send me your thoughts and comments

Dyslexia: an equalities and human rights issue?

Hi blog readers hope you are all well

Dyslexia an Equalities and Human Rights Issue

Every day I log into Facebook and look at my notifications from dyslexic groups from around the world. The vast majority of them are from parents fighting for their dyslexic kids right to a good education. I read one today about a school that was only interested in teaching what they saw as the gifted and superior kids. Ouch I have that word superior with a passion.  

Dyslexic kids and parents are as gifted as much as any non dyslexic parents or kids. It is society that disables dyslexics and this disabling begins at school where we are taught by teachers not trained to teach us. Learning materials used are dyslexia unfriendly and our kids have to fit around a one size fits all education system. #dyslexia is a difference that reflects #diversity. But our education system fails to reflect that diversity.

Instead it margialises us, it fails to enable us to learn effectively. Its not the fault of our dyslexic kids that they struggle learn at school. It is our education system that fails to enable them to learn. Its not really the fault of teachers. Its a lack of will by our politicians that is the issue here in my view. Teachers need to be able to meet the learning needs of the diversity of children in their classrooms. Teacher training fails to do this. 

We need a neuro difference friendly education system, one that reflects the diversity within us all. The human race is not one size fits all, diversity exists all around us. Our education system needs reflect that and fit around the learning needs of all kids in the class room.

This is an equalities and human rights issue. It is wrong that every parent of a dyslexic child has to individually fight for their child's human right to an education. It is discriminatory to ignore the learning needs of dyslexic kids in schools.

In my career as a dyslexia and inclusion specialist I have worked with many dyslexic adults who have been left with deep and life long scars because of their negative experiences at school. We have to work together to ensure this generation of children does not suffer the same way.

I have also worked with many dyslexic adults who have overcome their negative experience of school and become successful writers, doctors, scientists, teachers, actors, musicians and parents etc.

Just imagine how many more successful dyslexics there would be if our education actually worked for dyslexic kids.

Dyslexics have wonderful, inventive, creative and unique minds. We just need an education system that nurtures and enables dyslexics to unlock that potential instead of locking it up and throwing away the key.

Lol not really what I planned to write about today. the words kinda spilled out of my mind and I have no idea where they come from lol.

thanks for reading

Steve McCue #uniquedyslexic #vivaladifference #dyslexiapathwayscic

#dyslexia its about hidden abilities

if you are going to have a goal make it a big one lol

Hi blog readers hope you are all well

I forgot to mention in my last blog that I was invited to chat on the Kaye Adams Show on Radio 1 about dyslexia. I thought I would be lucky to say a couple of words like who I was lol and what I did. But I was able to talk about dyslexia and neuro difference and being positive about dyslexia. Introduced Kaye to the term neuro difference lol.

There seemed to be an idea that we dyslexics needed help in the workplace. I would not say we needed help. Its appropriate training we need. I would say almost everyone starting a new job needs training to do it and that what we should all get appropriate training.

Many workplace solutions for dyslexics in the workplace are simple, free and are appropriate for all staff. If there are additional needs then there is Access to Work that can support employers to be more dyslexia and disability friendly and enable employees to succeed according to their abilities.

We live in a diverse society and employers and organisations need to reflect that diversity in their workforce and service provision. If you meet the needs of your diverse customers they are more likely to come back and access services and buy goods again. That's what all business want customers who come back. Being dyslexia, disability and diversity makes sound business sense. 

Unfortunately this show is not longer available on BBC I player so I cannot give you a link to it.

For my recent readers I thought I would write a little blog about our Dyslexia Pathways CIC Unique Dyslexic Get Creative Campaign.

The original idea was that the campaign was going to take up a few hours a week. But like all the best plans of mice and men it was anything but that and it became a bit of a monster lol.

None of this would have been possible if it were not for our fab Dyslexia Pathways CIC Directors who, like myself, volunteered all their time to help make it into the success it was. I also have to thank and applaud the 15 volunteers who worked on the campaign. Finally a huge thanks to the Lord Provost of Fife for opening our event, all the performers and to Dr Ross Cooper for his fab keynote speech.

Below is a radio interview I did for Arts in Fife about dyslexia and Unique Dyslexic. At the time we had planned to do 4 free workshops. However, thanks to Furniture Plus in Fife we were able to do five workshops. In all 50 people attended our workshops, we provided free dyslexia screening to 5 participants. We also managed organise and run the first Unique Dyslexic Celebration of Dyslexia Exhibition at Rothes Halls as well.  

Just to add to all the excitement I had a heart attack half way through the campaign which was fun lol Apparently I was 1% away from popping my clogs lol. The docs told me to take a couple months off work but I was back working on the campaign two days after I left hospital. Anyway below is the radio interview I did:

https://soundcloud.com/raelthing/uniuque-dyslexic-radio-interview

I forgot to mention in my last blog that I was invited to chat on the Kaye Adams Show on Radio 1 about dyslexia. I thought I would be lucky to say a couple of words like who I was lol and what I did. But I was able to talk about dyslexia and neuro difference and being positive about dyslexia. Introduced Kaye to the term neuro difference lol.

anyway ta for reading and listening

PS if you want to see the work done at the workshops by dyslexics attending our Unique Dyslexic workshops just click on the video below. Please just scroll past my boring talky bit at the beginning and look at the artwork

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRKHaX42I2k

#dyslexia is a difference that reflects diversity #uniquedyslexic #vivaladifference #dyslexiapathwayscic

Many thanks for reading much appreciated here

PS:

Please accept our invitation to visit our Unique Dyslexic Facebook page. Why not join us and get involved. If you like what you see please leave us a like. Share your stories on being dyslexic or exhibit your creativity.

https://www.facebook.com/Unique-Dyslexic-Get-Creative-1431413910440768/

If you would like to support the work we do please feel free to leave us a donation via our Donate Social button at the to of the page. The donate social button is highlighted on the picture above. We have a rather large goal here at Dyslexia Pathways CIC. This is to open a dyslexia hub here in Fife Scotland. its not going to be easy and its not going to happen overnight. But if you are going to have a dream it might as well be a big one as a little one.

We are currently seeking people with the right skills and experience who would like to volunteer their time to support this dream. So if you have an interest in dyslexia or neuro difference or inclusion and want to find out more please call me on 01592 756 187 or email steve_mccue@hotmail.com.

Or visit our online store via our SHOP button

At Dyslexia Pathways CIC promote and support the social model of dyslexia as it is a more positive way forward for all dyslexics, and indeed for all from every neuro different community.

regards

Steve

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