I read an interesting and relevent article to all dyslexic entrepreneurs and organisations who provide support for entrepreneurs as a whole. Here is a little of what the article said:
"Professor Julie Logan’s research at the University of Bristol in 2001 reported that 1 in 5 of the UK’s entrepreneurs she surveyed was dyslexic, twice the rate expected for adults in the UK. Women’s Enterprise Scotland estimate that 60,000 women are registered as business owners in Scotland, which could equate to as many as 12,000 female dyslexic entrepreneurs, depending on how the term ‘entrepreneur’ is applied.
In 2008 Prof. Logan’s research at Cass Business School in London made business headlines when she reported that entrepreneurs with dyslexia make significantly different decisions compared to non-dyslexic entrepreneurs in two key respects: the number of businesses they choose to set up, and how many people they employ. Dyslexic entrepreneurs did significantly more of both. This means that the actions of this group are important for economic growth."
Lets just suppose there are another 12.000 male dyslexic entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs out there in Scotland. Yet many schools, colleges, training organisations fail to provide adequate support that will enable dyslexics so succeed. Yet many dyslexics still leave school without having their dyslexia assessed and as a result end in in low level employment, long term unemployed or worse still in our prisons. This is a waste of their lives, they become and burden on the economy and it is a waste of potential income for the scottish economy.
Dyslexics have to be seen as a potential untapped resource to the socttish economy and provided with appropriate support in our schools and colleges. This support need not cost a lot of money. Indeed a few simple clicks of a mouse can enable a dyslexic to work more effectively on a computer for no cost what so ever.
The social model of dyslexia tells us it is society that disables dyslexics.
Statistics say that between 30% to 50% of people in our prisons are dyslexic. Each one costs us around £35,000 a year to keep there. Wouldn't it be more prudent to provide dyslexia support at school for a small cost or maybe £2000 per student as a preventative spend measure and enable dyslexics to succeed in education.
Statistics tell us a dyslexic is 6 times more likely to be long term unemployed than non dyslexics. This again is because our education system fails dyslexics. Dyslexics succeed in all areas of society but we have to work so much harder and overcome more societal barrier to do so.
I think I read recently than 90% of successful dyslexics say they are successful because they are dyslexic. They are doing it not because if their education but in spite of it.
Current research indicates around 35% of entrepreneurs are dyslexic. If we were to provide the support at school we could have 45% of entrepreneurs being dyslexic?
I do not believe dyslexia to be a disability it is society that disables so many of us by not teaching us in ways we can access the learning in schools. Our society is going out of its way to fail dyslexic children.
I am one of those male dyslexic entrepreneurs and before I founded Dyslexia Pathways CIC 8 years ago I had a career as a dyslexia specialist working with adults in colleges. I have to say that when I was starting up my social enterprise Dyslexia Pathways CIC I encountered is a total lack of dyslexia specific support for dyslexic entrepreneurs here in Fife and in Edinburgh. I went to many organisations for support and advice and not one of them any idea dyslexia and how to support a dyslexic entrepreneur.
Many orgainsations I went to were more of an hinderence than a help. I did meet with some supportive individuls who were very supporting and I have to thank them for their support with my own journey to becoming an entrepreneur. However, in the 8 years I have been a social entrepreneur I have yet to find any dyslexia specific support I, and other dyslexic entrepreneurs need.
One of the aims of Dyslexia Pathways CIC is to create a new mentoring scheme for dyslexic entrepreneurs and potentail entrepreneurs. To enable them to unleash their potential and succeed in their chosen entrepreneurial path. Please read my blog if you would like to find out more about the work we do at Dyslexia Pathways.
many thanks for reading
peace love and groovyness to all
"Professor Julie Logan’s research at the University of Bristol in 2001 reported that 1 in 5 of the UK’s entrepreneurs she surveyed was dyslexic, twice the rate expected for adults in the UK. Women’s Enterprise Scotland estimate that 60,000 women are registered as business owners in Scotland, which could equate to as many as 12,000 female dyslexic entrepreneurs, depending on how the term ‘entrepreneur’ is applied.
In 2008 Prof. Logan’s research at Cass Business School in London made business headlines when she reported that entrepreneurs with dyslexia make significantly different decisions compared to non-dyslexic entrepreneurs in two key respects: the number of businesses they choose to set up, and how many people they employ. Dyslexic entrepreneurs did significantly more of both. This means that the actions of this group are important for economic growth."
Lets just suppose there are another 12.000 male dyslexic entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs out there in Scotland. Yet many schools, colleges, training organisations fail to provide adequate support that will enable dyslexics so succeed. Yet many dyslexics still leave school without having their dyslexia assessed and as a result end in in low level employment, long term unemployed or worse still in our prisons. This is a waste of their lives, they become and burden on the economy and it is a waste of potential income for the scottish economy.
Dyslexics have to be seen as a potential untapped resource to the socttish economy and provided with appropriate support in our schools and colleges. This support need not cost a lot of money. Indeed a few simple clicks of a mouse can enable a dyslexic to work more effectively on a computer for no cost what so ever.
The social model of dyslexia tells us it is society that disables dyslexics.
Statistics say that between 30% to 50% of people in our prisons are dyslexic. Each one costs us around £35,000 a year to keep there. Wouldn't it be more prudent to provide dyslexia support at school for a small cost or maybe £2000 per student as a preventative spend measure and enable dyslexics to succeed in education.
Statistics tell us a dyslexic is 6 times more likely to be long term unemployed than non dyslexics. This again is because our education system fails dyslexics. Dyslexics succeed in all areas of society but we have to work so much harder and overcome more societal barrier to do so.
I think I read recently than 90% of successful dyslexics say they are successful because they are dyslexic. They are doing it not because if their education but in spite of it.
Current research indicates around 35% of entrepreneurs are dyslexic. If we were to provide the support at school we could have 45% of entrepreneurs being dyslexic?
I do not believe dyslexia to be a disability it is society that disables so many of us by not teaching us in ways we can access the learning in schools. Our society is going out of its way to fail dyslexic children.
I am one of those male dyslexic entrepreneurs and before I founded Dyslexia Pathways CIC 8 years ago I had a career as a dyslexia specialist working with adults in colleges. I have to say that when I was starting up my social enterprise Dyslexia Pathways CIC I encountered is a total lack of dyslexia specific support for dyslexic entrepreneurs here in Fife and in Edinburgh. I went to many organisations for support and advice and not one of them any idea dyslexia and how to support a dyslexic entrepreneur.
Many orgainsations I went to were more of an hinderence than a help. I did meet with some supportive individuls who were very supporting and I have to thank them for their support with my own journey to becoming an entrepreneur. However, in the 8 years I have been a social entrepreneur I have yet to find any dyslexia specific support I, and other dyslexic entrepreneurs need.
One of the aims of Dyslexia Pathways CIC is to create a new mentoring scheme for dyslexic entrepreneurs and potentail entrepreneurs. To enable them to unleash their potential and succeed in their chosen entrepreneurial path. Please read my blog if you would like to find out more about the work we do at Dyslexia Pathways.
many thanks for reading
peace love and groovyness to all
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