UNISON learning reps, health and safety reps and stewards from across the South East region attended a Dyslexia Awareness course this month. Over two day-long modules, participants learned about what dyslexia is, how it affects people, and why it’s an issue that UNISON branches should be considering.
After expert trainer Daniel Ahern from Adjust Services had explained the causes, symptoms and effects of dyslexia in the first module, education officer Davinder Sandhu explored what the condition can mean for day-to-day life at work.
She went through issues including:
- strengths and challenges
- dyslexia and self-esteem
- Equality Act and reasonable adjustments
- supporting colleagues at work
- next steps
One attendee said that the course
… offered a great insight into the barriers and strengths of people with dyslexia
Another expressed appreciation in these words:
Thank you Daniel and Davinder for opening my eyes to dyslexia. I learnt about what it is, what it can mean and how I can help others. I know that the knowledge you gave me will influence how I deal with dyslexia in the future.
Davinder Sandhu, UNISON education officer, said,
This was a really enthusiastic group. Everyone engaged with the activities and came up with some great ideas about how they could support colleagues and challenge discrimination in the workplace.
If you’re interested in finding out more about dyslexia, what it means for people who have it, and how you can support members in your branch who have dyslexia, our Dyslexia Awareness e-note offers an overview. (If you haven’t used our e-learning site before, you’ll need to register first.)