Assistive Technology For Young Professionals With Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a common learning disability that primarily affects an individual's ability to read, but can also impair writing, spelling and speaking. Elementary, middle and high school students diagnosed with dyslexia have access to accommodations provided by their teachers, schools and specialized learning programs that often include assistive technology. But what happens when students who have been managing their dyslexia in an understanding and adaptable environment graduate and enter the work force and are no longer met with understanding attitudes, but frustration from employers? I am going to outline how an individual can successfully transition from school to work while suffering from dyslexia as well offer suggestions to employers in understanding their dyslexic employees.
Protection for Dyslexic Employees
- Covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)
- The law defines a person as disabled if he or she:
• has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities;
• has a record of such an impairment;
• is regarded as having such an impairment. 28 CFR Sec. 36.104 - The ADAAA prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities” in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation and training.
- An employer may not ask about a learning disability, with one exception. If an employer has affirmative action requirements as part of a federal contract, a job applicant may be asked to “self-identify.” However, the employer must keep all information regarding disabilities in a separate, confidential file apart from regular personnel files.
Struggles in the Workplace
- Struggling with tasks that involve a lot of paperwork
- Needing more time to carry out tasks
- Needing flexibility for execution of tasks
- Fear of disclosing disability
- Literacy issues – leading to problems with reading and writing
- Numeracy issues – leading to problems with numbers
- Short term memory issues – leading to problems following instructions, or carrying out tasks
- Sequencing issues – leading to problems with organisation and time management
- No guidance on how to develop a career as a dyslexic
Available Assistive Technology
- Bookstore.org - Website that offers resources (books, links, teacher recommended reading, e-books, assistive technology.) Free to qualified students and adults.
- Learning Ally - free membership for the dyslexic and visually impaired. Offers assistance in reading print materials.
- Librivox - provides free audiobooks from the public domain.
- NaturalReader 10 - Text to Speech software that features natural sounding voices. Can convert any written text into spoken word (webpage, MS Word, PDF's, emails)
- Dragon Dictation - voice recognition application allows you to speak and instantly see your text or email messages.
- Dragon Search - accurate way to search online content using your voice. Includes Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Twitter, iTunes & Wikipedia.
- Note2Self Audio Recorder - audio recorder and voice note sharing solution. Notes can be saved or emailed automatically.
- QuickVoice Recorder - one touch recording for memos, email, dictation, lists, and meetings.
- Image to Speech (OCR) ‐ Allows you to take a picture, and the application will read out loud the text inside the image.
- MindNode - Program is a simple‐to‐use mind mapping application to visually collect, classify and structure ideas, organize, study and solve problems. Mind maps can be used for many different tasks – including to‐do lists, brainstorming, holiday planning, research, writing, project management – and in many different environments – school, meetings, workspace.
Suggestions for Employers
- Employers are expected to make reasonable changes to their workplace and work practices to assist dyslexic workers to do their job without difficulty. There is government assistance available to pay for it.
- Training - Dyslexics may need more training, or to have it backed up by written procedures they can refer back to. Likewise, many training courses are not designed for dyslexic learners and this may need to be taken into account.
- Technology- Make sure appropriate and competent assistive technology is available to individuals with dyslexia.
- Organization - Positive and consistent communication to help individuals remain organized.
- Management style - Giving individual instructions one at a time, or providing them in writing (via email) so the dyslexic worker can refer back to them. Consider ways to reduce distractions in the workplace.
- Attitude - Have an open mind about dyslexia and treat each dyslexic employee individually
Succeeding With Dyslexia
Spotlight: "Adult Professionals with Dyslexia Find Common Ground in Unique Boston Group"
"Despite the advances made in the understanding and treatment of dyslexia, Sinclair says that there is still a lot of ignorance and bias about it. According to a 2010 Roper poll, 80 percent of Americans associate dyslexia with mental retardation. Consequently, many people are afraid to reveal their dyslexia to employers for fear of losing their jobs or being blamed if something goes wrong on their watch. In addition to feeling shame and embarrassment about their own dyslexia, parents of dyslexic children are often riddled with guilt for passing the disorder on to their offspring.
To provide a forum to address these issues, Sinclair swung into action. He approached the head of his law firm about hosting a meeting for professional adults with dyslexia. His company agreed, and the Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (MABIDA), of which Sinclair is a board member, offered to co-sponsor the first meeting."
Full article available at: http://dyslexia.yale.edu/DYS_massprosupportgroup.html
To provide a forum to address these issues, Sinclair swung into action. He approached the head of his law firm about hosting a meeting for professional adults with dyslexia. His company agreed, and the Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (MABIDA), of which Sinclair is a board member, offered to co-sponsor the first meeting."
Full article available at: http://dyslexia.yale.edu/DYS_massprosupportgroup.html
Additional Resources
- http://dyslexia.yale.edu/Technology.html
- http://dyslexia.yale.edu/DYS_Student2Student.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafiGBrFkRM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVaeGOflF7w
- http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/news/dyslexia-work