Support for Employers
Dyslexia, classified as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, often hinders individuals, both adults and children, from reaching their full potential.
How to get support as an employer?
With an estimated one in 10 people in the UK being dyslexic, it is highly probable that you will encounter employees with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties (SpLD) in your business. Access to Work (Government-funded scheme) funds disability and neurodivergent-related support and equipment to help people start or stay in work.
Businesses and organisations can benefit greatly from employing dyslexics due to their positive strengths and attributes:
- Creativity and lively imagination
- Ability of visual, spatial and lateral thinking
- Verbally articulate
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Simultaneous multiple thought processing
- Highly aware of the environment
- Great intuition and insightful
- Excellent problem solvers
Employers also need to be aware that they are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace to ensure that employees with dyslexia are not placed at a disadvantage (Equality Act 2010).
Wiltshire Dyslexia Association Free Helpline
The WDA operates a helpline service run by a volunteer. Get in touch with us and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Helpline telephone:
07394 617917 (answerphone available)
Monday – Friday, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm
Helpline email: wdahelpline@gmail.com
British Dyslexia Association Free Helpline
There is also a free national helpline run by the BDA for people with dyslexia and dyscalculia and those who support them.
Call 0333 405 4567 to speak with an advisor.
See Helpline for opening times and further details.
Some signs of Dyslexia in Adults
Dyslexia can affect various aspects of daily life like higher education, learning to drive, job hunting, and in the workplace.
Adults may struggle with:
- Reading, writing and/or spelling (confusing letters b/d and numbers)
- Confusing visually similar words (eg: hat/hot)
- Remembering conversations, important dates or instructions
- Telling left and right
- Being organised (time management, prioritising tasks,…)
- Listening and maintaining focus
- Have poor self-esteem
- Experience visual disturbances when reading (for example, letters and words seems to move around or appear blurred)
- Have poor handwriting and slow writing speed
- Experience sensations of mental overload/switching off
- Need to re-read paragraphs to understand them
How we can help employers
The Wiltshire Dyslexia Association believes in a dyslexia-friendly society that enables neurodivergent people of all ages to reach their full potential.
Our Helpline
We operate a free helpline aiming to provide confidential and impartial advice about support in schools, at home and in the workplace.
We do not have an office or paid staff. The helpline is run by a volunteer who will respond as soon as possible.
Helpline telephone (answerphone available) Monday – Friday, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm.
- wdahelpline@gmail.com
- 07394 617917
British Dyslexia Association Helpline
There is also a free national helpline run by the BDA for people with dyslexia and dyscalculia and those who support them.
Call 0333 405 4567 to speak with an advisor.
Guide for Employees
The British Dyslexia Association has produced a guide for employees.
Also, you can see our resources section for further links to organisations that can help.
Guide for Employers
The British Dyslexia Association has produced a guide for employers.
Also, you can see our resources section for further links to organisations that can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find below the answers to the most common questions around dyslexia and related subjects.
Is dyslexia hereditary?
Dyslexia is regarded as a neurobiological condition that is genetic in origin. This means that individuals can inherit this condition from a parent and it affects the performance of the neurological system (specifically, the parts of the brain responsible for learning to read).
Is dyslexia a disability?
Dyslexia is classified as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. A disability under the Equality Act 2010 is a physical or mental impairment that affects a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Dyslexia will count as a long-term physical or mental impairment.
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Become a Member
Join us as the voice of dyslexic people by becoming a member of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association.
Your support enables us to provide free information, advice, training and events, and continue striving for a dyslexia-friendly society. Supporters receive our regular newsletters.
All membership fees paid online are paid by Direct Debit and can be cancelled at any time.
Please contact wdahelpline@gmail.com if you would like details about an alternative method of payment.
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