#dyslexia: it ain't about symptoms and deficits

I designed this logo I wanted to show that dyslexia and uniqueness go together. I made the U and D 3d because I think we look at dyslexia two dimensionally 

Hi blog readers hope you are all feeling fab

The worst thing that happened to the #dyslexic community was the medicalisation of #dyslexia and the defining of #dyslexia in terms of symptoms and deficits.

#dyslexia a difference that reflects #diversity

#dyslexa = #different minds not minds with a disorder

we must change how we think and talk about being #dyslexic

If we don't we will continue to fail dyslexic kids past, present and future.

 #vivaladifference

GOOD NEWS

My #fab #dyslexia #blog has achieved over 335.000 reads this week. 

Dyslexia Pathways CIC. The CIC stands for Community Interest Company. This means any profit me make must be used for the benefit or dyslexic and neuro diverse communities.

#PeaceLoveGroovyness to you all

Steve McCue

many thanks for reading

Dyslexic positive art installation from me

This shows an art installation I did as part of our Unique Dyslexic Get Creative campaign. 

Hi blog readers hope you are all well

The light over the letter I expresses the positivity I have about being dyslexic. (I know positivity may not be a real word but it should be LOL)

It also expresses the impact that my own dyslexia assessment had on me and my life. My dyslexia assessment enabled me to re evaluate the difficulties that I had at school as an un-assessed dyslexic learner. 

It wasn't me that couldn't learn it was the education system that couldn't teach me in ways that enabled me to learn. A very light switched on eureka moment in my life.

Also I wanted to say it's not how you write but what you write that's important. 

Be that by hand, by keyboard or by speech to text technology etc. 

Writing by hand is just a strategy and its not the only strategy. 

Find the strategy that works for you. Its only a non dyslexic society that says we all have to write by hand.

For me personally I would never have achieved academically without access to a computer keyboard 

Question for you all:

How would you express dyslexic positivity? 

Please share your ideas in the comments section of my blog.

Peace love and groovyness to you all

If you enjoy my blog please share on your social media. If you have any comments please leave in the comments section of this blog

Accessibility: Society Disables

Hi Blog readers hope you are all well


I want to share with you as to why I support and promote the social model of dyslexia and social model of disability.




Over the next couple of blogs I want to talk more about my experience of how society can disable and can enable.

As many of you will know I had a couple heart attacks about a year ago. Its been a long and hard road back to health with a lot of hiccups along the way.


About 8 months ago I went to a Business Gateway even event at the new Enterprise Hub is Glenrothes. Brand spanking new building the Fife Council and its partners were all proud of. Its on the first floor of a building above a bank.



I went in the front door on the building and was presented with two long flights of stairs to climb. It was not easy for me as I was still recovering from my heart attacks but I managed to climb the stairs.

Anyone with any real mobility issues would not have been able to access the building.

This is what I mean when I say society disables...........

Hmmmm maybe the thinking is disabled people cant run a business or be an entrepreneur??????

I asked about an accessible entry point like a lift so that people with mobility issues can access the building. I was told there was none.

The reason being there had not been the funding available to make the building more accessible.


I had a little walk around the building and found no accessible loo and other disability unfriendly issues within the building.



Now I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place here. If I complained officially how would that impact on me and my organization Dyslexia Pathways CIC?



I had to make an official complaint in writing no choice. So I did some research to find a disability organization, local and national, to help me with this. I wrote a e mail complaining to my local MSP.

The MSP still has not got back to me and I could not get any help from any disability organization to help me write my letter of complaint. I wanted the letter to be perfect and I felt I needed support because I am dyslexic.



I did get some support from disability campaigner Susan Archibald who informed my she was not surprised to hear my story because its repeated all over Fife.



Last week I went back to the same building for another training event. Still the same problem of access but I was not surprised about that. This time I went on to twitter and wrote about this problem on my twitter feed. I also complained to my feedback form.

As I walked out of the building a person working there called down to me as I walked down the stairs to inform me they were going to be putting in a stair life. I also received phone calls from the Business Gateway to again inform me they were putting a stair lift in.

I am not sure when they will be doing this or if they will be rectifying the other accessibility issues in the building.

But if they do this will be an example of society enabling........EVENTUALLY!!!!!

I have to finally say I hate being put into a position where I have to complain. I, we, as disabled, dyslexic or, neuro diverse people should not be put into a position where we have to complain.

But unless we do nothing will ever change and will probably get even worse by remaining silent.

thanks for reading

Peace love and groovyness to all

Please share your experiences of times when society enabled of disabled you.

Next blog will be about my experience of employers who can enable or disable