Dyslexia Week 2021 is taking place from Monday 4 October – Sunday 10 October this year.
Many people in the dyslexia community feel like their struggles are unseen. Because dyslexia itself isn’t visible, individuals with dyslexia often feel unsupported,
That’s why this dyslexia week, the British Dyslexia Association are focusing on ‘Invisible Dyslexia’, to explore the entire theme of visibility within the dyslexia community.
We caught up with Gill Mulroe, member of the CIWM Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group, about her struggles with this particular neurodiversity.
What has been your experience as a person with dyslexia working in the resources and waste sector? Have you encountered challenges?
Yes, lots of challenges, down to awareness and a lack of understanding of dyslexia.
We are working to old systems and archaic processes that are made for the more neurotypical – meaning dyslexics are managed badly in the workplace as we don’t fit into those moulds and our challenges are always a focal point, not our strengths.
The waste sector is going through a transformation, with some real complex challenges ahead. We need the skill sets from dyslexic minds to support these changes. We think ‘outside the box’, can look at information differently and can help to figure issues out.
Dyslexics are very strategic, although we can ‘spin many plates’ at once. We have superb leadership skills and have an amazing ability to see the bigger picture. I am also very passionate and enthusiastic especially when it is something I can do well. Resilience and self-awareness are other key skills (due to inabilities being pointed out) along with being incredibly driven. I can also read a room quite easily. (I would make a great MI5 agent, but I like to talk too much) which leads me onto great storytelling skills and creativity.
Leaders in our sector will benefit from dyslexic thinking along with the greater value we bring. By shifting performance management systems, it will enable us to show that value in a better way.
I would like to see the sector pioneer these changes as we navigate our sector through new legislation and regulation, along with embracing diversity and inclusion for so many underrepresented communities.
Being a female in the sector comes with many challenges, coupled with being dyslexic, brings so many more barriers when we try and advance our careers.
What do you find the most common reaction is when you tell people you’re dyslexic? Do you feel there is a stigma attached to the word?
Absolutely, it is seen as a spelling issue, but it has so many more connotations to it such as a sense of direction, communication, my writing often does not match up to what is in my head and, at times, I can’t find the correct word, which results in using simpler words.
Sensory overloading due to working in noisy environments are a problem – as are remembering instructions, short deadlines, writing things by hand, forgetting names, even down to knowing when to jump in to put a point across in a meeting.
When someone asks me to send an email, I have a real anxiety…
When someone asks me to send an email, I have a real anxiety as I know it will take me ten times longer to write and often the receiver has been known to take issue with an email.
Reactions have been mixed. I have had some people laugh, I have many not really understand and some simply don’t care. However, I want people to care in the sense that we work in amazing environments, that we do amazing work, and that work is the best we can give, and that we are provided with an equal and fair environment.
Is it important for people with dyslexia to be visible in the workplace? If so, why?
I am I huge advocate for dyslexia and encourage people to speak up and come forward if they are dyslexic. Please don’t struggle. Have a confidential chat with your HR department. There are some great adaptations available for dyslexics that support with writing and reading.
Dyslexia is also covered by the Equality Act 2010, so employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for dyslexic staff members in the workplace.
Everyone should have an opportunity to be the best version of themselves at work and have the tools in place to help level up. It is terrible to think of someone struggling as I have done in the past.
Everyone should have an opportunity to be the best version of themselves at work and have the tools in place to help level up.
I had a little cry today as I received an email from someone who I had impacted when I spoke up recently about my own experience with dyslexia. it is invaluable that we create those safe spaces needed to speak up, become advocates for change and be brave.
I have a sentence on the bottom of my email signature to help people see my dyslexia and to try to avoid any judgement or conflict based on my communications.
It reads: “I’m dyslexic so you may notice creative thinking along with creative spelling, a few typos or odd sentences. If you have any trouble with the meaning of any of the sentences or words, please feel free to give me a call “
Neurodiversity is a topic we’re seeing being addressed more and more in the workplace. How important is it to nurture a welcoming environment for neurodiverse individuals?
This is a great question. Investing in culture and the working environment to create a place of purpose and belonging is so important. The onus has always been on me to fit in, as I have been singled out as a ‘problem’, which has made for some terrible experiences and frankly aggressive encounters which does impact my confidence. There is a 360-degree impact zone around us that extends to our colleagues or peers and in many cases can cause conflict which could be avoided.
There is so much information and guidance being published though Made by Dyslexia and The Dyslexic Association to help businesses provide better environments and help improve understandings. They are also challenging the thinking towards dyslexics and adapting processes.
Dyslexics have grown up in a society of judgement, failure – always feeling like they have done the ‘wrong thing’, singled out, left out and made to feel like dyslexia is a ball and chain, our burden to carry.
Dyslexics have grown up in a society of judgement, failure – always feeling like they have done the ‘wrong thing’, singled out, left out and made to feel like dyslexia is a ball and chain, our burden to carry.
These experiences and feelings go way back to school, from the red marks and lines though an English essay – yet another D minus – not being able to complete the times tables or learn a language. It is exciting and quite emotional to see how dyslexia is now being embraced and the ‘superpowers’ we have are being highlighted.
If you could correct one common misconception about dyslexia what would it be?
That dyslexic is a disadvantage when it should be seen as a strength.
