Thread by @Dyslexia_London

Our Webinar on 'The Impact of Dyslexia in the Workplace' has just started.

We'll be live-tweeting our webinar today using #DALwebinar.

Join us! #DyslexiaInTheWorkplace

Strengths of #dyslexia:

- Highly creative
- Big picture thinkers
- Great pattern recognition - useful for fields of maths and science

#DALwebinar

Famous People with #dyslexia:

- Pablo Picasso
- Beryl Benacerraf, MD World-renowned radiologist and expert in ultrasound
- George Washington
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Orlando Bloom
-Jamie Oliver
#DALwebinar

The Equality Act: "A disability is a mental or physical impairment and the impairment has a substantial & long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal activities."
Your employer has a duty of care, a legal responsibility to make reasonable adjustments #DALwebinar

Employment Tribunal Case of 'Kumlchew V Starbucks Coffee Company.'

It is in everyone's best interest to avoid these scenarios and make reasonable adjustments. #DALwebinar

Reasonable adjustments:
- small or large changes depending on individual needs, the job role, the environment
- seek specialist advice from Occupational health/specialist organisations #DALwebinar

"Try to have that confidence to speak openly with your line manager so that you can come to mutually acceptable agreements."

#DALwebinar

Try to be realistic and pragmatic.

It is a personal choice to let your employers know that you have #dyslexia

If you let them know you can communicate the support you need

So when managing performance - you can negotiate longer deadlines etc.

#DALwebinar

The work environment should:

- be an open and inclusive culture

- should have policies and processes that do not inadvertently discriminate against its employees #DALwebinar

Dealing with change:
- be patient
- implement reasonable adjustments can sometimes take time
- collaborate and work alongside your employer

#DALwebinar

Resources:

@exceptional_Ind is a great organisation that can help you with forms

#DALwebinar

We're all thinking about what the working world will look like post-Covid19. It may be a good time to reassess Government support and the Equality Act.

#DALwebinar

For the Self-Employed reach out to:

- ACAS
- Business Link

Important to get specific advice.

#DALwebinar

Unions should be able to allocate other reps to support you in terms of returning to work.

#DALwebinar

What would you advise when you work for an employer that does not believe it is their ethical responsibility to support #dyslexic employees?

Reach out to the HR dept and document every single interaction and email. Email how distressed you are, the timeline. Say it as it is.

Contact ACAS and let your employers know that you have contacted them. If you are dismissed because of that, you should get in touch with a lawyer. It can be challenging to take that step, but the weight and fear will be lifted. There is help out there.

#DALwebinar

Timed questions for online applications - can this way of recruitment be challenged as there is no extra time given?

You should inform them of the adjustments you will need.

It is a legal requirement that they make suitable adjustments.

#DALwebinar

Where can I get diagnosed for #dyslexia?

Students: speak to your disability officer

Adults: a psychologist's assessment

Legally you do not have to show any proof.

We will email you with a link for free online tests #QuirkWebinar

How can you get your employer to focus on your strengths?
It's important to have a conversation about that. People might be afraid that it is a career-limiting exercise.
Be assertive.
Many companies are keen to be inclusive. Unfortunately many don't understand #DALwebinar

Many organisations and companies are crying out for neurodiverse employees.

They are so many talented people in the wrong job.

Empower yourself and seek out the right role for you in the right company. Ask them about their culture & how they support their employees #DALwebinar

I would urge people to have that confidence and take this opportunity to seek out those companies.

Startups and tech companies are keen to be inclusive and make those changes.

#DALwebinar

From the questions we are getting, it seems as though many employers are not aware of their responsibilities.

It seems there is a serious lack of support being given and that is a concern.

#DALwebinar

Focus on your strengths
Look at roles that will play to your strengths
Look at employers websites and see how they talk about the support they give to employees
There are opportunities out there for you

#DALwebinar

Dyslexia is just a different way of processing information, not the wrong way of processing information.

Do we need to change the narrative around #dyslexia?

#DALwebinar

Employers have to conduct investigations. Keep evidence. When you speak to a manager, email them straight after the discussion and outline what you discussed and if it was satisfactory or not to you.

#DALwebinar

Virtual interviews over Zoom - what measures can I ask to be implemented?

Think about the barriers you think you will face as an individual. Review it and ask them to put those things in place. Know what you will struggle with via that type of interview. Each case is individual

We have to treat video interviews as normal interviews. Think about how you would cope with that environment and ask for reasonable adjustments. It is within your right #DALwebinar

Are there any orgs that advise on previous employment?

There are limits to the time you can bring a previous employer. Call ACAS, seek legal advice. Focus on yourself & getting better. Seek help from Mental Health orgs. When you are in a better place mentally, you can try again.

HR departments also have a duty to support their employees.

HR should have regular check-ins with you. They should not wait until a performance review to bring issues up. #DALwebinar

Do you have any right to ask for dyslexia-friendly software:

Clear Talent
Handsfree

You can apply to Access To Work to help you. They will so an assessment #DALwebinar

Can we discriminated against when you highlight our #dyslexia to potential employers?

It is against the law. I understand it is a challenge to open up, to speak up. However, I see an upsurge in people talking about Mental Helath during covid. There is a change happening

The Health and Safety Executive website is a great resource:

hse.gov.uk

#DALwebinar

The ACAS website: acas.org.uk

GroOops: grooops.org/articles/

A recording of our webinar with #GroOops on how to manage your #mentalwellbeing as a person with #dyslexia during Covid19:

dyslexialondon.org/webinars/grooo…

#DALwebinar

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