Dyslexia: Its time has come

DyslexiFest-logo-jpg Creativity, problem solving, resilience: exactly the type of personal characteristics employers are looking for in an information-driven, post-industrial work environment. When detail and minutia become challenging, we take to the higher ground and see the bigger picture. Story telling becomes a way of life when simple facts and data are difficult to absorb. Abstract thinking becomes natural when learning by rote passes us by. So what better for the Information Generation, the social media frenzy and a workplace where automation has eliminated the grind of hard-written prose? Thank goodness for 180 characters for short and frequent message passing, and the prominence of visual media. Does this sound like a disability? Does this sound like slow, stumbling or dim? Is this what we think when we hear ‘dyslexia’ ? Today we understand the neuroscience, psychology and personal impact of what once was a life-sentence to deselection and under-achievement. We now have a whole suite of coping and learning strategies that allow dyslexic individuals to contribute and flourish in the modern world. The world is catching up with dyslexic strengths. Dyslexia Scotland has developed a comprehensive programme of awareness, action and support for dyslexic individuals in Scotland. Dyslexia Scotland is gearing up for its flagship event DyslexiFest for 2019, a launchpad in to the second year of the 2018-21 Strategic Plan which outlines a vision for a dyslexia friendlier Scotland.  Join us. We’d love to see you there: Saturday 5 October (11am to 5pm) at The Lighthouse in Glasgow. For more information about DyslexiFest, visit www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk/dyslexifest By Mike Gordon Dyslexia Scotland careers mentor volunteer