English
Answer:

Difficulty with reading and writing ,

Difficulty identifying letter sounds ,

Having trouble finding the right words

Supporting Coworkers with Dyslexia

If your coworker is showing dyslexia characteristics, it's important to let them know that you support them by:

1

1. Providing Accommodations

There are many tools that can help people with dyslexia with written materials:

Flaticon Icon

  • Text-to-speech: These tools read any text aloud and lets people record their voice.

Flaticon Icon

  • Flexible deadlines: Give people with dyslexia appropriate time to complete tasks.

Flaticon Icon

  • Clear fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read, like Calibri and Arial. Avoid italics.

Flaticon Icon

  • Headphones: These help with focus by lowering noises and other distractions.

2. Fostering a Safe and Inclusive Space

It may be hard for your coworker to open up about their struggles with dyslexia. If they know they are in a space with supportive people they trust, they'll be more likely to ask for help when they need it.

Bernie Sanders saying, "I am once again asking to feel safe and supported at work."

3. Not Assuming They're Incapable

You don't want to make your coworker feel uncomfortable about their disability. Don't avoid giving them tasks just because they involve reading or writing. Empower and encourage your coworker to ask for help when needed!

A woman closes her eyes and says, "I've got this."

Scenario

Flaticon Icon

Amy is your coworker. She has recently shared with you that she has dyslexia, and she's having trouble reading some emails you sent her. What can you do to help Amy?

Quiz

Choose the best way(s) to help:

Answer:

Show her how to use text-to-speech ,

Only use simple, black font

Take Action

Nicole Kidman playing Kaitlyn Meade in Lioness saying, "What else?"

If you want to help a coworker who's showing dyslexia characteristics:

License:

Imagine you're watching your coworker give a presentation at work. As they're speaking, you notice them squinting at the letters on the screen, struggling to find the right words to say.

A person giving a presentation in front of people wiping their face and looking nervous.You're aware that your coworker has dyslexia, and you can tell they're worried about others noticing. What would you do?

With the proper support and accommodations, people with dyslexia can be successful in all work environments.

Recognizing dyslexia characteristics and learning strategies to respectfully help your coworker will allow you to support them in your work environment.

Did you know?

When someone with dyslexia hears a word, they may have a hard time picking out individual sounds within that word. They may also have difficulty identifying which letters make certain sounds.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that impacts how the brain processes language. This leads to difficulties with reading, writing, and speaking. You might notice dyslexia characteristics in your coworker such as:

Flaticon Icon

1. Slow Reading or Writing

Many people with dyslexia need more brain power to read or write words, which takes more time.

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2. Needing Directions Repeated

When multiple steps are spoken aloud, people with dyslexia may have difficulty remembering each direction.

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3. Lack of Focus and Time Management

Especially when there are lots of noises and distractions, many people with dyslexia have trouble staying on task and meeting deadlines.

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4. Difficulty with Spoken Language

People with dyslexia may struggle to find the right words, which makes it difficult to participate in discussions.

Did you know?

Over 700 million people are estimated to have dyslexia. It's the most common learning disability.

Myths About Dyslexia in the Workplace

Myth: People with dyslexia aren't smart.

Truth: Dyslexia doesn't affect intelligence. Many intelligent people that have dyslexia and other learning disorders are successful in their work environments with the right support and accommodations.

Tom Hiddleston as Loki nodding and saying, "I am smart."

Myth: Dyslexia is caused by issues with vision and hearing.

Truth: Dyslexia is a language disorder that begins in the brain. Glasses or hearing aids won't help your coworker with dyslexia.

An animation that zooms into a person's brain to highlight individual neurons.

Myth: People with dyslexia read words backwards.

Truth: Letters can look mixed up at times, but your coworker isn't simply seeing letters in reverse.

A pile of Scrabble tiles.

Quiz

Which are true dyslexia characteristics? Choose all that apply:

Supporting Coworkers with Dyslexia

If your coworker is showing dyslexia characteristics, it's important to let them know that you support them by:

1. Providing Accommodations

There are many tools that can help people with dyslexia with written materials:

Flaticon Icon

  • Text-to-speech: These tools read any text aloud and lets people record their voice.

Flaticon Icon

  • Flexible deadlines: Give people with dyslexia appropriate time to complete tasks.

Flaticon Icon

  • Clear fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read, like Calibri and Arial. Avoid italics.

Flaticon Icon

  • Headphones: These help with focus by lowering noises and other distractions.

2. Fostering a Safe and Inclusive Space

It may be hard for your coworker to open up about their struggles with dyslexia. If they know they are in a space with supportive people they trust, they'll be more likely to ask for help when they need it.

Bernie Sanders saying, "I am once again asking to feel safe and supported at work."

3. Not Assuming They're Incapable

You don't want to make your coworker feel uncomfortable about their disability. Don't avoid giving them tasks just because they involve reading or writing. Empower and encourage your coworker to ask for help when needed!

A woman closes her eyes and says, "I've got this."

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Scenario

Flaticon Icon

Amy is your coworker. She has recently shared with you that she has dyslexia, and she's having trouble reading some emails you sent her. What can you do to help Amy?

Quiz

Choose the best way(s) to help:

Take Action

Nicole Kidman playing Kaitlyn Meade in Lioness saying, "What else?"

If you want to help a coworker who's showing dyslexia characteristics:

License:

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Supporting Coworkers with Dyslexia

If your coworker is showing dyslexia characteristics, it's important to let them know that you support them by:

1

1. Providing Accommodations

There are many tools that can help people with dyslexia with written materials:

Flaticon Icon

  • Text-to-speech: These tools read any text aloud and lets people record their voice.

Flaticon Icon

  • Flexible deadlines: Give people with dyslexia appropriate time to complete tasks.

Flaticon Icon

  • Clear fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read, like Calibri and Arial. Avoid italics.

Flaticon Icon

  • Headphones: These help with focus by lowering noises and other distractions.

2. Fostering a Safe and Inclusive Space

It may be hard for your coworker to open up about their struggles with dyslexia. If they know they are in a space with supportive people they trust, they'll be more likely to ask for help when they need it.

Bernie Sanders saying, "I am once again asking to feel safe and supported at work."

3. Not Assuming They're Incapable

You don't want to make your coworker feel uncomfortable about their disability. Don't avoid giving them tasks just because they involve reading or writing. Empower and encourage your coworker to ask for help when needed!

A woman closes her eyes and says, "I've got this."

Scenario

Flaticon Icon

Amy is your coworker. She has recently shared with you that she has dyslexia, and she's having trouble reading some emails you sent her. What can you do to help Amy?

Quiz

Choose the best way(s) to help:

Answer:

Only use simple, black font ,

Show her how to use text-to-speech

Take Action

Nicole Kidman playing Kaitlyn Meade in Lioness saying, "What else?"

If you want to help a coworker who's showing dyslexia characteristics:

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