Dyslexia, inclusion, diversity and difference a new and positive way forward

Participants from our Unique Dyslexic Get Creative Fused Glass Workshop

New ideas and new way forward for the dyslexic community:

Almost all new ideas are generated by individuals but they are given life by and nurtured by communities and the cultures they can create.

If we are ever going to move away from a negative medical model of dyslexia that has nothing positive to say to dyslexics or about dyslexia. We, as dyslexics, need to come together and create a coherent global dyslexic community. A community that has a single message. This being that dyslexia is a difference that reflects diversity. 

A global dyslexic community that has a more positive social model of dyslexia vision of dyslexia. A vision which nurtures and values dyslexic diversity and difference and celebrates all that we have achieved and are still to achieve in the future.

We need to consign the medical model of dyslexia to history where it belongs because it has failed us as dyslexics. The medical model of dyslexia is one that has been imposed on us and does nothing but shackle us to a negative stereotype of dyslexia.

The social model of dyslexia defines us by what we can do and achieve, it empowers us and it frees us from the negative medical model stereotype that tells us being dyslexic means we are disabled is some way.

The social model of dyslexia was developed by dyslexics for dyslexia. It is our own model.

That's why I believe that dyslexia is a difference that reflects diversity and that neuro diversity is as important as biodiversity.

My organisation Dyslexia Pathways CIC was the first dyslexia focussed social enterprise in the world and we have embraced and promoted the social model of dyslexia.

Why not join us and let's create the global community and culture we are dyslexics need to move forward and enable our dyslexic kids to thrive and succeed.

One of the achievements I am most proud of with Dyslexia Pathways CIC is this:

(CIC stands for Community Interest Company) This means we're are a

registered social enterprise and our social aim is to promote and



support dyslexic and other neuro different communities. As with all




social enterprises we are not for profit.

This quote is from an Erasmus academic paper that mentions Dyslexia


 Pathways CIC:

"There are numerous CICS who have succeeded in providing an intermediation function developing pathways that assist individuals with disabilities to access support to engage in academic courses and vocational qualifications.

These include Dyslexia Pathways CIC, All Inclusive Disability Consultants CIC and Acute Need CIC who have all led the way for social inclusion for those within the disabled community looking to access support to enhance and develop their skillset.

There continues to remain an urgent need for person centered planning rather than relying on generic mechanism for all types of learning disabilities. There is substantial disparity in how these individuals are treated i.e. only 15 % of adults with autism are in paid employment compared to 48% of people with general disabilities (Higgins, 2009)." One in five dyslexics are unemployed.

You can read the whole paper by  clicking on the link below

The message is social enterprise and social model of dyslexic = a new way forward for the dyslexic community.

 http://archive.londonmet.ac.uk/cice/fms/MRSite/Research/cice/pubs/2012/2012_272.pdf

If you read my last blog you can see I am very busy working on a number of things for Dyslexia Pathways CIC. We are currently looking for people who would like to support our work. Or help us crowd fund etc. Of support us in our aim of opening a dyslexia / neuro diverse hub for communities across Fife.

Dyslexia Pathways CIC was the first dyslexia focussed social enterprise in the word We support and promote dyslexia and neuro diversity through social enterprise and social model of dyslexia.




We believe this offers a positive and innovative way forward for the dyslexic community and an empowering alternative the the medical model of dyslexia. A model which tells us our brains do not function normally and that we are broken in some way.

The social model tells us dyslexia is all about diversity and difference. Nature thrives because of diversity and difference as does humanity. That's why we say vivaladifference for dyslexia and neuro diversity as well as for disability.

If we cannot respect and embrace neuro diversity and all other aspect of diversity on planet earth. Then how will we embrace and respect it when we meet it in the universe?

And Finally:

A little something for every dyslexic in the world. May your journey as a dyslexic in a non dyslexic world be a fab one. Every single one of you dyslexics out there are fabtastic. A huge heap of thanks to all those who love and support us.

Together we can touch the stars

Many thanks for reading peace love and groovyness to you all

Steve

PS;

Had fab convo with Laura Laura Dyslexic Jackson-Cavalleri via Skype on Sunday morning about what they are accomplishing for the dyslexic community in Staten Island. We need to have more conversations world wide if we are going to nurture and grow a more positive vision of dyslexia.

A vision that focusses on a positive social model of dyslexia that talks positively about dyslexic diversity and difference and being dyslexic instead of a negative medical model dyslexia vision that has nothing positive to say to us as dyslexics or about dyslexia and has accomplished little for dyslexics.

Always happy to talk to kindred spirits about being dyslexia positive