Supporting Dyslexic Colleagues to Smash Their Targets this Quarter
Working with dyslexia can be stressful sometimes, especially when targets are on the table. How can we ensure those working with dyslexia feel confident and supported?
Modern business practice often necessitates that we move between tasks quickly and efficiently, especially as we shift into Quarter 3, many C-Suites will have pivoted from growing and building to really knuckling down and working on targets. This means that for those who read and learn differently, there’s sadly more pressure than ever, especially when it comes to getting through emails, messages and project files. So where do we go from here?
With the right support systems in place, these challenges can be effectively addressed with minimal disruption to the colleague’s day-to-day. In this article, we’re going to explore how changing structures and responsibilities, making work accessible, and implementing text-to-speech support can help make sure having dyslexia doesn’t impact on progress, stress levels and workplace wellbeing as we head into Q3.
Changing Structures and Responsibilities
One of the best ways to support dyslexic colleagues and reduce their workplace stress is by reassessing existing structures and responsibilities within the organisation— with their consent and input, of course. Employers in 2023 need to actively promote an inclusive culture that recognises and accommodates the diverse needs of their workforce. This might involve re-evaluating the allocation of tasks and responsibilities to ensure they align with the strengths and abilities of dyslexic individuals, or it might mean ensuring that appropriate safety nets like proofreading or write-up support are in place.
It also means that when it comes to progression, targets and KPIs, dyslexia should be taken into account. Something like responding swiftly to long emails or working on reading tasks quickly shouldn’t be used as part of a matrix for skill assessment unless the colleague has the right support and has fully indicated they’re comfortable with it, and there are no other forms of non-literacy assessments that work for the purposes of those KPIs and targets that may be implemented to alleviate stress.
Creating a flexible work environment can also significantly alleviate stress for dyslexic employees. Introducing variable working hours, remote work options, or job-sharing arrangements could allow individuals with dyslexia to manage their time effectively and work in an environment that suits their needs— and crucially, help them work toward their targets more swiftly and with confidence. People work better when and where they’re comfortable.
Making Work Truly Accessible
To ensure an inclusive workplace for dyslexic colleagues, it is crucial to make work materials and resources accessible— everything from MS Teams messages to whitepapers, emails and graphics. Employers should provide documents in dyslexia-friendly formats, using dyslexia-friendly font, clear layout, and appropriate colour contrast.
Additionally, the use of bullet points, headings, and subheadings is often reported by dyslexic individuals to help them navigate information easily.
The adoption of assistive technology can also play a significant role in making work accessible. Dyslexic colleagues may benefit hugely from using spelling and grammar checkers, speech-to-text systems and time management software to enhance their productivity and accuracy. These tools enable dyslexic individuals to focus on their core competencies rather than being overwhelmed by the mechanics of reading and writing, meaning that they can focus on what matters.
Hacking Reading with Text-to-Speech Support
Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology has proven to be an incredibly valuable tool in supporting dyslexic colleagues within the workplace, especially when time pressure is on. By converting written documents into spoken words, TTS technology assists dyslexic colleagues in comprehending and absorbing information more quickly and effectively— also removing a large portion of the stresses of decoding, too.
There are many available TTS formats, including dedicated input programmes and browser extensions, but it’s important to remember these systems don’t translate to the written word as it appears on the page. In many roles and industries, this is still where we do most of our reading— so pen-style scanning devices like the C-Pen Reader 2 and the ReaderPen Secure are pivotal puzzle pieces in ensuring our colleagues with dyslexia don’t struggle to access the materials they need to succeed.
Thriving with Dyslexia:
How the ReaderPen Secure is transforming data work
The ReaderPen Secure is the world’s first assistive reading tool to support GDPR compliance in the workplace. Businesses can nurture neurodiversity and be more inclusive without worrying about a data breach. There’s no inbuilt storage function, so the scanned data stays exactly where it’s safe to be, between the pen and its user, and doesn’t get saved when the pen is closed down.
Use it for:
Long-haul reading exercises like whitepapers and manuals
Short reading exercises, like flyers and letters
Safety materials and assessed testing materials
Supporting through requalification, upskilling and CPD
Discreet reading support— features headphone audio
Multi-language functionality and translation
Keeping data secure when colleagues require reading support
Supporting on-the-go, for workers not often at their desk or who work hybrid
Reliable — Portable — Discreet— Rechargeable — Zero-Storage — Supports GDPR Compliance