Pictured above Dyslexia Pathways Logo
Hi blog readers hope you are all well
I had a fab day at the Social Enterprise Hustings held at the Grassmarket Community project in Edinburgh. Met with a lot of fab people. Have to say the Grassmarket is a fab community doing fab work.
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| Grassmarket community project picture above |
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| Grassmarket community project pucture above |
Politicians from all four major parties were there including John Swinney SNP, Willie Rennie from Scottish Lib Dems and two others from the Labour and Tory party. Apologies I just cannot remember their names. I will say I had a good chat with all four about dyslexia and neuro difference. The labour candidate informed me he is dyslexic and ADHD. Good news to chat with a politician willing to chat so openly about being dyslexia and ADHD.
The four political candidates at the hustings pictured above
I only wish I had filmed the event because so much was said and so many questions asked and answered. One discussion focussed on people in prison and about how social enterprise can address this issue.
I had the opportunity to talk about the fact that around 50% of people in prison are dyslexic and over 60% are very low literacy and numeracy skills.
I mentioned the fact that it is our education system that is failing and unless we address this first we will not see so many dyslexics ending up in our prisons. Even John Swinney agreed that our education system is letting our dyslexic and neuro different kids down. The last time I wrote to the Scottish government about dyslexia and education all I got was a rather bland response basically telling me everything was rosy in the garden sigh. Good to hear someone in power agreeing that things need to change.
I suggested we need to see 50% of entrepreneurs being dyslexic or neuro different in Scotland and 35% of dyslexics in prison as a first step to solving the over representation of dyslexics in our prison. I went on to say that for too long dyslexic and neuro different kids have been failed by our education system and marginalised within education, training and employment.
Dyslexics are not inherently criminal, they make bad choices because they are given little hope for their future. So many of us struggle at the first and second hurdle when looking for employment The major one being just filling in an application form. I know this from my own experience of struggling to fill in an application form before I had access to a computer keyboard and it still happens today for many dyslexic young people who have no access to a computer at home.
Dyslexic and neuro different minds are a resource that a small country like Scotland cannot leave un tapped. Neither can we dyslexics continue to accept that our kids are being marginalised at school and their life chances and opportunities being denied them.
Hey I was the only one of those who asked a question who got a clap from the audience. Ok it was only two claps but it was two claps more than anyone else.
I also had the opportunity to mention that social enterprise is far from being an inclusive movement and that much more work needs to be done to make it more inclusive.
Dyslexia and Time and getting lost:
I have a BSc honours Geography degree but I can get lost going round a corner. I also have little sense of time so I always leave early to get to any event. Sometimes that has its advantages.
I arrived at the Grassmarket community centre an hour early. The first thing I notice was a cameramen clustering around the coffee bar area, They we all filming Willie Rennie learning how to make a cappuccino. I was gasping for a coffee and started milling around with the cameramen. I stood around patiently waiting to get served as Willie was getting trained. Cant remember how it happened but I mentioned I was waiting for a coffee and Willie Rennie made it for me and I got it for free. lol.
Photo above Willie Rennie making my coffee
Picture above Willie Rennie struggling to make my coffee lol
Getting my cup of coffee for free from Willie Rennie lol
After drinking the coffee pictured above my advice to Willie is don't give up your day job just yet
Dyslexia Pathways CIC online shop:
Dyslexia Pathways CIC supports and promotes dyslexic and neuro difference communities as well as the people who support or love them.
We believe the dyslexia i...s a difference that reflects diversity and that neuro diversity is as important as biodiversity. #dyslexia #diversity
Our Unique designs enable people from all communities to promote a more positive vision of dyslexia and neuro difference. One that respects and values equality, diversity and difference.
Please let us know what you think of our designs honest opinions please
Below is a link to our Dyslexia Pathways CIC online shop
Pictured below our five Unique tee shirt logos
Anyway that's enough of a blog for today phew.
regards
Steve McCue
please love and groovyness to all
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