What
Does A Dyslexia Friendly-Environment Really Look Like?
Dyslexia-Friendly
Environment
A
supportive environment that promotes educational and professional progress
enables dyslexic individuals to flourish and reach their full potential. Such
an environment embraces the use of the word dyslexia; promotes a clear and
scientifically valid understanding of dyslexia; and provides proper supports
and accommodations, including allowing the use of assistive technologies. A
supportive work culture understands that dyslexic individuals aren’t stupid,
and certainly aren’t lazy. Instead, it recognizes that people who are dyslexic
often work much harder and longer than their peers, provided they are given
that opportunity. The dyslexia-friendly environment should extend from
elementary, middle and high school, through college and into the workplace.
In
the Classroom
A
dyslexia-friendly classroom environment encourages dyslexic students to follow
their strengths and interests. While it holds high expectations for dyslexic
students, it allows reasonable alternatives beyond timed tests and text-heavy
materials to demonstrate their knowledge. When tests are necessary, teachers
allow extra time or provide shorter tests for dyslexic students in the class.
When grading a creative writing assignment, a dyslexia-friendly teacher focuses
on the content and creativity of the paper, and not spelling errors. When a
spelling or grammar test is given, teachers do grade a dyslexic student’s
abilities in those areas but also work with students and parents to develop
dyslexia-friendly study skills. These include using colors to highlight
different parts of speech and other grammar rules, or using flashcards and
computer games to help a student memorize spelling words.
(The
Shaywitz
DyslexiaScreen makes identifying dyslexia quick and easy.)
In
College
Under
the Americans with Disabilities Act
colleges are required to provide fair and reasonable accommodations (reasonable
is defined as anything that doesn’t alter the nature of the program) for all
qualifying students.
A
dyslexia-friendly college understands the nature of dyslexia and offers
students appropriate supports, including the opportunity to use assistive
technologies in the classroom, extra time on tests, and foreign language
waivers or partial foreign language waivers, such as taking classes on the art
and culture of Spain instead of taking Spanish.
In
the Workplace
As
with school environments, dyslexia-friendly workplaces understand and accept
those with dyslexia.
Allowing
for the use of assistive technology like Dragon dictation
software, audio recordings or a SmartPen to
take notes in meetings will help a dyslexic employee put more energy into using
his or her strengths to meet organizational goals. Other simple strategies that
will help all employees include keeping communications brief and to-the-point,
sending out agendas ahead of meetings, and giving easy access to information
needed to do one’s job. READ
MORE ➤➤
Based
on (7) readability formulas:
Grade Level: 16
Reading Level: very difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate
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