Being a dyslexic social entrepreneur certanly has challanged me as I have never been challanged before

graphic showing differences between medical and social models of dyslexia / disability

Hi blog readers hope you are all well. Its been a while since a posted my last new blog.

I have been rather busy. Anne and I managed to get away for our first holiday on our own for a few years. Couldn't really afford it but we both needed the break for a few days. We went to Javea in Spain and it was fab. I have also had a problem with my eyes and general health also which is a drag to say the least lol.

Journey:

When I embarked on my journey as a social entrepreneur by founding Dyslexia Pathways Community Interest Company way back in 2008 I have certainly travelled along a long road or should I say huge ginormous roller coaster ride with very high highs and very low lows.

To make things even harder for myself it had no route map and I really had no idea where is was going to go. All I really knew was I am a qualified dyslexia and inclusion specialist with 13 years experience of working in colleges and 8 years experience of running a dyslexia department. All knew was I didn't want to work within an education setting again as an employed teacher but I wanted to keep on teaching or training within the dyslexia and inclusion fields.

Tee shirts news:

I have secured a small amount of funding to get some of our new #iamdyslexic tee shirts printed. We have a have a number of different fonts that are dyslexia friendly. However, we have decided to go with the design with the dyslex+ie font as designed by Christian Boer. If anyone would like to purchase one let me know. I am struggling with ways to bring them to market. I think tee shirts will be £20 including postage. Let me know if you would like to buy one, which logo you would. your size and gender as well as choice of colour. I have secured a small amount of funding to get a few printed. If we could raise enough money we could also explore opening a more dyslexia friendly accessible on line shop.

As well is the font below.

Photos above show new dyslexia tee shirt logo designs

Dyslexia Awareness Training:

I have completed the four dyslexia awareness training sessions and an now looking at thinking about organising another for the end of November but at another location in Fife. I am going to develop further training packages for next year. If I can find the funding to pay for my time I would like to run them free of charge. The training has been fab loads of positive feedback, the session have been fun and interactive. Its not been about me standing at the front of the room yammering on and on. Its been more about exploring dyslexia and dyslexia issues together as a group.

All who came to the training enjoyed the learning styles inventory activity. The idea is to introduce different learning strategies to participants so they can better meet the need of dyslexic customers, trainees and staff. At school we as dyslexics are given access to a very on size fits all set of learning strategies.  Its a bit like going into a shop and buying an off the peg set of clothes. If you are lucky they may fit very well but mainly its a compromise. Many of which are not dyslexia friendly.

We need to develop a tailor made set of learning strategies for our learning toolbox. Like a tailor made suit that fits perfectly. But these strategies need to change and evolve to suit what a dyslexic is doing. For example a strategy that may have worked in first year at university may not work so well in the third year.  Its one of the reasons why I encourage dyslexics to use self reflective learning on a regular basis. Not sure if I have explained this clearly enough lol.

Dyslexia Screening:

I am going to start getting the word out about our Quickscan dyslexia screening test. I am afraid its going to have to be a paid for service as I cannot secure funding to offer it for free. A licence to sue the software costs £350 a year. If there is anyone out there who would be able to offer funding or knows of any funding to pay my time so that I could offer it for free let me know. I can also offer Studyscan which is a full dyslexia assessment.

Here is a little information about Quickscan:

QuickScan

• This screening test is suitable for people aged 15 and over who speak English as their first language.
• The screening test consists of about 100 simple questions.
• You will be asked what you would do in different situations or how you feel about the way you do various types of activity.
• You will not be asked to solve problems. It is not a threatening 'test'.
• You will be asked to click a button to select your answer to each question.
• The result will not depend on how fast you answer the questions, but most people take between 20 and 40 minutes.
• At the end of the test you will receive a computer generated report, which will highlight any possible indicators of dyslexia and identify whether or not a full and formal dyslexia assessment is recommended.

Other News:

Dyslexia Pathways CIC is now a corporate member of Scottish Equality Disability Forum and I am an individual member which is fab. Although we support and promote the social model of dyslexia dyslexia is considered to be a disability under Equalities legislation so it make sense to me to be a member. I am also an inclusion specialist as well as a dyslexia specialist so again it makes sense.

Here is a little information about the Scottish Equality Disability Forum:

Leading Disability Equality in Scotland

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) works for social inclusion in Scotland.  We are a membership organisation representing individuals with any type of impairment, disability organisations, groups and individuals who share our values. SDEF aims to make sure the voice of people affected by disability is heard and acted upon.

We work with many organisations to influence Scottish Government policies which affect how we live.  We also work with Access Panels across Scotland who provide advice and support to disabled people in their local communities.

Funding:

I have been run a Donate Social campaign on our Unique Dyslexic page which is going as well as a chocolate watch in a blast furnace. I know times are difficult for everyone but we are trying to raise £1000 to keep our websites running and to buy assistive tech for training etc. Its easy to do just select the link below then the highlighted donate social link as seen in the graphic below and donate. If you can share amongst your contacts that would be fabtastic also

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

Graphic above shows Unique Dyslexic Facebook and Donate Social button is highlighted

Anyway apologies for the length of the blog. Oh by the way and before I forget my Dyslexia blog has not had over 50,000 reads. Ta to all who have taken the time to read and follow my dyslexia blog.

Remember:

Dyslexia is a difference that reflects diversity vivaladifference

Peace love and groovyness to all in the dyslexic community, and all other neuro diverse communities and disabled communities.