Dyslexia in UK higher education and employment: an introduction and overview

The year 2009 saw the publication of the Rose review of dyslexia (Rose, 2009). This was an independent review commissioned by the UK government to evaluate provision for children with dyslexia and literacy difficulties, and to make recommendations on how the identification, teaching and educational outcomes of these pupils might be improved. While this focus on the needs of dyslexic children is welcomed, dyslexia causes life-long difficulties so it is important also to consider the needs of dyslexic adults. Many of these adults may have gone through their school lives and into employment with little, if any, dedicated dyslexia support. There is a need, therefore, to increase awareness of what can be done (and legally, what should be done) to meet the practical and emotional needs of these individuals. This is the goal of this book which is aimed at dyslexic adults and professionals who support them in higher education and the workplace. These professionals might include educational and occupational psychologists, specialist dyslexia tutors, speech and language therapists, careers advisors, disability advisors and welfare officers. The book also offers a wealth of practical advice to employers on how best to meet the specific needs of their dyslexic staff, and it highlights some of the skills and strengths that dyslexic adults can bring to the workplace