My social enterprise Dyslexia Pathways Community Interest Company

My Social Enterprise Logo

Hi all, hope everyone is ok out there.  

Hello, here is a link to my Dyslexia Pathways CIC web site. Founded in 2008 we are a, not for profit , Community Interest Company, ( CIC ).

Comments and feedback invited. If you would like to support our work there is a donation button. We would like to make the website more accessible.

#PeaceLoveGroovyness to you all

Steve Unique Dyslexic McCue

Welcome to a brand new series of my Unique Dyslexic Eye podcast

Unique Dyslexic Eye logo

Hi everyone, hope you are all doing away out there,

Welcome to episode 1 from the new series 3 of Unique Dyslexic Eye. Just click on the link to get to my Unique Dyslexic Eye podcast page:

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-93prz-13220f8

#PeaceLoveGroovyness

Please leave us a like or share this blog. Your comments and questions welcomed.

Steve Unique Dyslexic Eye McCue

I have a new mentor from the Impact and Performance Social Value Lab

 

My one in 10 people are dyslexic t shirt logo

Hi everyone, hope you are all doing away, as they say up here in Scotland.

This is not really something I am comfortable doing. Blowing my own trumpet that is. But I have just got a new mentor from the, Impact and Performance Social Value Lab.  Its all about showing the value of your work. So, I thought this might be a good start:

D wrote:

Just cried tons reading it... Very good to find someone that you can read! I wish everyone could read us as we read each other. I wish i could understand why the hell I decided to get a masters... (10 days to present my thesis and I just realize I can't write) sorry to bother you, but I just really wanted to talk to someone that understands me, and maybe give some tips? Hahahaha thanks man your blog is awesome

DT wrote:

Just watched your blog video well done, like yourself I am dyslexic, I started a Facebook page called the dyslexic teacher, a bit of a play on words as a dyslexic I wanted to help people with dyslexia using a system that works for me I own a small production company producing promos and commercials for people, which consists of myself and my wife who does the editing we both come from a TV and film background, dyslexia is very common in the television and film industry, by using speak to text On my Apple computer and now Apple phones or virtually any smart phone using the Siri system it writes for me life changing for me personally, I've been involved helping young and old dyslexics using this system for me it's ground-breaking at 65 years old I can now write to whoever I want to definitely a game changer for me and I've helped many people overcome some of the problems we have being dyslexic, if I can help anybody by producing a small Film Please don't hesitate to call me we have a round camera and we can help with the editing, I will leave my email address if anybody wants to contact me

KJD wrote:

Your post is so true, I will have to re-post this over on my twitter and facebook page. I had a raw deal myself in the 60s/70s at school. I did get a degree in my late-40s that I,ve written a book about my years in the wilderness branded a failure. Thanks for the post Steve. https://www.amazon.co.uk/DUNCE-SCHOLAR-DYSLEXIA-Road-University-ebook/dp/B01E2W50QA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1470140374&sr=1-1

Unknown wrote:

yes the Dyslexic Prism idea makes a tone of sense no two dyslexic's see the world the same way, BUT unlike non dyslexic's we are able to understand each others view points, and even spot another dyslexic who may have been thinking themselves stupid or lazy because that is what non-dyslexic call people who are dyslexic. Its like with reading, some dyslexic's can deal with black font on a white background, but a number of us need colour overlays to make the text stay still or make it simply easier for our minds to read! and again no two dyslexic's will have the same colour overly, my partner has a horrid neon orange were I have an EVIL rose pink (I hate pink), but nether of us can read font via the same overly as easily. that's just a physical example. but mental well with out dyslexic's there wouldn't be e=MC squired Yes Dr Albert Einstein was a dyslexic so that alone should dispel the myth of dyslexic's being stupid. >:( the thing I really don't get is why suddenly Dr's want to dub it an illness!! yes sure it can be a disability if you never get the chance to be shown how to overcome its problems so you can fully embrace its gifts! but to dub it an illness ughh I wish they would stop looking for medical cures for everything and start finding practical work around like, oh I don't know teach ALL school children as if they were dyslexic so that none of them fall behind, But I guess that would be to much dyslexic common sense for non-dyslexic's in charge of the so called education system. :/

TE wrote:

Outstanding Steve I could virtually feel everyone of your highs of 99% and dreaded 1% low that fills me with self-doubt. I'm very interested in helping to find Free or inexpensive tools to help dyslexics realize their full potential.We should talk http://MyToolBoxToSuccess.com

Unknown wrote

Excellently written article, if only all blogger offered the same level of content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!.Great tips, I would like to join your blog anyway.Waiting for some more review.Thank you

Unknown wrote:

You are an amazing guy, Steve, we learnt so much from our recent meeting. Wow our brains were whizzing round over 100 miles an hour, lol. All very positive I must add. Now its time for me to rein in.........argh that is so difficult for me to do.....as you could tell from talking to me. However, I know how important it is to me to focus on one thing at a time to accomplish my goals. I will definitely be in touch with you very soon. Thank you so much for your invaluable time and support you gave us, we can not thank you enough. Watch this space....... !!! A very happy dyslexic :-)

Guitarist wrote:

thats a nice story steve, i too gave up school wen i was 14 if you remember, i brought a guitar wen i was 16 and tried to join my 1st band, of course i was turned down not good enough, so i went to guitar college for a couple of years, where i learned a fair bit joined a band, did a few things then we did a gig for a social club in 2004 where we were asked to be resident band for 2 years so.... theres a little story in a way a little like yours i gave up too, but eventually done something i always wanted to do, good on ya steve, if your ever in edgware look me up

Thanks for reading

Steve Unique Dyslexic Eye McCue

The last 64 years and state of our world and some news about my Unique Dyslexic Eye podcast show

 

My Unique Dyslexic Eye Podcast Logo

Hi everyone, just a few words today to sum up the last 64 years

I was born in 1958,

Experienced to hope of the 60's

A teen in the dark 70’s,

Saw the crude excess of the 80’s,

Shared the warnings of the 90’s,

Felt the expectation of the new millennium,

Witnessed the division of austerity,

I look at my country and wonder where, why and how

#PeaceLoveGroovyness to you all

Steve Unique Dyslexic Eye

Some news on my Unique Dyslexic Eye Podcast

I am going to be running a series of podcasts about dyslexia. If you would like to take part just contact me. steve_mccue@hotmail.com or 078 287 414 73.

I have recorded a couple interviews already

My Breaking the Barriers of Dyslexia project

 

Do things stay the same?

Way back in 2000 - 2008 when I was managing the dyslexia department in a college in London. One of the first things I did was visit every staff room and spoke to as many staff about myself, what I was here to do and dyslexia / neuro-diversity. Believe me, many staff wanted to listen. They wanted to find out more, for themselves and students. 

It gave me the idea for a project, "Breaking the Barriers of Dyslexia. The basic idea was to open free to access dyslexia surgeries, provide awareness training and access to free screening and assessment. Have to say management listened but not much enthusiasm was expressed. 

I wrote an initial proposal and then enjoyed a fab journey climbing up the management mountain, eventually ending at the Principal's  office. I was given the task of writing the project proposal for the Learning and Skills Council of London. In my own time lol. This must have been 2004 / 5. 

The initial project was designed to last 6 weeks. The Learning and Skills Council liked the idea and fully funded the project to the tune of £50.000. Amazing how quickly senior management came on board when that happened. 

I run a number of open dyslexia surgeries for students and staff wanting to find out more about dyslexia. As it turned out a large number of staff and students took up the offer and came to the surgeries.  

Some just want some advice on ways to support their dyslexic student s more effectively. But others came because they either knew they were dyslexic or suspected they were dyslexic. 

All had some concerns that being dyslexic would hinder their career prospects and nearly all had not disclosed they were dyslexic.

The basic idea was to provide free dyslexia screening and assessment for as many staff as we could during the life of the project. We also wanted to provide training in dyslexia friendly work strategies and in assistive technology.   

The first priority was to find a suitably qualified dyslexia dyslexia specialist to run the project. We found a very very good one. Her name of Elizabeth Gentlecore, apologies if the spelling is wrong. She really put her heart and soul into the project. 

The project had an initial target to provide access to dyslexia screening across the college. I think we managed to screen over 400 staff and students. 

We had an initial target to provides 8 free dyslexia assessments. In the end we provided 23 free assessments together with training and support with applications for Access to Work. The Access to Work team also provided training in assistive technology.

We actually made the project funding to last an additional month. We did have plans to extend the project but other things got in the way of that.

However, at the end of the project, despite how well it went, 99% of those assessed still expressed concern about college management knowing they were dyslexic. 

My concern here is if dyslexic teacher are expressing concerns about disclosing. What does this say to dyslexic student.

Years later have things changed very much for the better?

I was talking with a degree student yesterday who I had been providing dyslexia support over the last semester.  A very bright student as well. He was expressing an interest in becoming a teacher but felt that it was not possible for him to become a teacher because of his dyslexia. 

He was expressing his concerns about telling any prospective employers about his dyslexia. That if he did it would adversely affect his job and career prospects. He would be a great teacher as well in my opinion

There is far too much focus on dyslexia as a negative condition that adversely impacts on our abilities to succeed academically and in the work place. That talks about dyslexia in terms of deficits, disorder and discrepancy. 

Let’s face it, what employer wants to take on a dyslexic who can't spell, has poor memory, a brain that does not work properly, who can't read well etc. The positives of being dyslexic are hidden behind an negative stereotype image of dyslexia.

Its not that our dyslexic brain is broken, it just works differently. 

This is what the average person in the street believes dyslexia to be. Very few mention any of the positives of dyslexia at all. So it is not surprising many dyslexics keep it a secret, including teachers.

For every positive single article on dyslexia there and 20 or more negative ones. If we are ever to change people's attitudes and perceptions about dyslexia we need dyslexic teachers who are comfortable disclosing they are dyslexic, neuro diverse or disabled in classroom. Teachers who are positive about being dyslexic and can act as role models and mentors to dyslexic / neuro diverse children.

In spite of the title of my blog and podcast I do believe attitudes and understanding towards being dyslexia are changing for the better. But there is a lot more work to be done.

If you have anything you would like to share on my blog or podcast please contact me: steve_mccue@hotmail.com. 

Be safe, #PeaceLoveGroovyness to you all.

Free suite of assistive technology tools are available; My Study Bar

Unique Dyslexic: Embracing Diversity Celebrating Difference

 Hi everyone, Steve Unique Dyslexic McCue here. Hope you are all well,

Assistive technology can be very liberating for people across all communities, including dyslexic, neuro diverse, blind, deaf etc. 

A note of caution before I go any further. Assistive technology is not a universal solution or panacea. For example, I find speech to text software impossible to use. It just gets in the way of the creative process of writing. The only way to know if assistive tech software is to try it out. That why I always advise using a, try before buy, option which many assistive tech companies offer.

I will put together another blog on support available for UK students and people in employment or seeking employment. 

What I will advise anyone who considers them selves to be disable in any way. If you are going to take a degree or HND or already taking a degree or HND ask your college of University about Disabled Students Allowance.

If you are in employment or seeking employment there is the ACCESS to Work Grant. Probably the least known about Government scheme disabled people in the UK. Below is a link to the Government  ACCESS to Work site. But, getting hold of ACCESS to Work can be problematic.

ACCESS to Work link

There is another way forward. Its called My Study Bar which is a suite of free to access assistive technology tools that can assist with Planning, reading, writing, speech recognition and vision based tasks.

Below is a link to the Call Scotland, My Study Bar site here in Scotland. 

My Study Bar Link

Why not click on the link and have a look at their site?

My Study Bar is a floating toolbar made up of 6 sections with over 10 apps to use.

• Planning
  • Xmind – mind mapping.
• Reading
  • T-Bar – to customise background colours.
  • Vu-Bar – an onscreen ruler to read single lines of text.
  • ssOverlay – coloured overlays.
  • ATBar – select text to hear it read aloud (also with font and background colour options).
• Writing
  • Balabolka – a talking word processor with options to save text to audio .

    • Balabolka can be slow in loading, please be patient.

  • LetMeType – flexible word prediction - over 30 topic dictionaries including; Ancient Rome, Cell Biology, Global Warming and much more).
  • Rapid Typing – learn to touch type.
• Voice
  • Windows Speech Recognition - speak to your computer.
• Vision
  • System Font Size Changer – customise font, colour settings in Windows.
• Help
  • Find out more on technology to support dyslexia.
  • Download the Scottish voices.
  • Download WordTalk.
  • Ease of Access Centre.
  • High Contrast.

Thanks for reading, your feedback, likes and comments are welcomed Why not subscribe to my Unique Dyslexic Clan? Let me know how you get on with My Study Bar please.

Please note: whether to download the software or not is your decision. 

#PeaceLoveGrovvyness to you all

Steve Unique Dyslexic Eye McCue