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.