its not we dyslexics that need fixing

Hi everybody how are you all out there across the world?

It's not we dyslexics who need fixing, it's our Dyslexia unfriendly society and education that needs to be fixed.

Stats tell us 35% of all entrepreneurs are dyslexic. This does not mean all dyslexics are entrepreneurs. Yes there are a lot of successful entrepreneurs out there. But that does not mean all entrepreneurs are successful. Entrepreneurship is not really a career move for many.

Many of us are just cut out of the job market because society sees dyslexia in medical model terms. In term of discrepancy, disorder and deficits. This model completely fails to include anything about dyslexic strengths and totally misrepresents dyslexia. 

I went the entrepreneur route out of necessity really not out of choice. I am a well qualified Dyslexia and inclusion specialist, I have built, managed and run a Dyslexia department in a college and a number of dyslexia focused projects. 

But when I moved to Scotland i found there are very few full time jobs in schools, colleges and universities that employ full time dyslexia and inclusion specialist. 

When I was looking for Dyslexia and inclusion support work up here in Scotland I couldn't get even one hours work in a college let along full or part time work.

Much of that work is done by specialists is paid on an hourly semester time only basis. Here is an example of how Dyslexia unfriendly our education system is. Stats tell us about 10% or the UK population are dyslexic but in university only 5% of students are dyslexic. 

Over 50% of people in our prison cells are dyslexic. Dyslexics are six times more likely to be long term unemployed. We dyslexics are not inherently criminal or stupid. The barriers are real and they are very tough to break through for many dyslexics.

Many of us leave school with no or low qualifications. Not because we are not smart enough its because our education system in dyslexia unfriendly. 

I was one of those dyslexics I left school with no qualifications and believing I had no academic potential at all. In face I basically stopped attending school at 14 and worked.

We start our working life at a huge disadvantage. We do so because our education system has failed us. The training available is also dyslexia unfriendly. This is changing but it is changing too slowly.

anyway that is enough from me

Please everybody stay safe during these most difficult of times.

#PeaceLoveGroovyness to you all from me and my family 

Steve McCue

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