Dyslexia Awareness.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a lifelong neurological condition that often runs in families and affects people’s abilities in reading, writing and spelling.

People with dyslexia may have difficulty processing and remembering what they see and hear, which can affect their learning. Dyslexia can also affect other areas such as memory, maths, co-ordination, time-keeping and organisational skills.

Approximately 10% of the UK population is thought to be dyslexic, with around 4% being severely affected, but the condition is often misunderstood.

Under the Equality Act (2010), dyslexia can be classed as a disability. Dyslexia can affect children in education, adults in the workplace and situations in everyday life.

Everyone’s experience of dyslexia is different – it can range from mild to severe and can exist alongside other neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and developmental language disorder.

 

Dyslexia Awareness Week.

Dyslexia Awareness Week UK runs from 5th to 11th October 2026.

The theme for this year’s Dyslexia Awareness Week is “Dyslexia in real life: At Work”, which focuses on adults with dyslexia and their experiences at work, particularly the impact that recruitment, communication, organisational processes, management, and access to additional support can have on dyslexic employees.

As a lifelong condition, dyslexia can have a major impact on a person’s working life. Everything from job applications to managing daily organisational tasks to career progression can be affected by dyslexia. Workplaces should be designed to encourage alternative ways of thinking to avoid creating obstacles that make it difficult for dyslexic employees to succeed.

Dyslexia does not lessen an individual’s intelligence or potential. Many people with dyslexia achieve great success. There are many famous people who are dyslexic, including Jamie Oliver, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Keira Knightley, Sir Jackie Stewart, Holly Willoughby, Jennifer Aniston and Sir Richard Branson.

Employees with dyslexia have a diverse range of skills and contribute to the workforce by thinking differently. They have many strengths, including creativity and observation. They can see patterns and trends in data and are good at problem-solving, often with an intuitive understanding of how something works. Workplaces should provide sufficient support for dyslexic employees through assistive technology and reasonable adjustments, enabling them to thrive in all aspects of their working lives.

World Dyslexia Awareness Day is on 8th October 2026 and is a global initiative which aims to raise the profile of dyslexia. It is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of the condition. It reminds us of the importance of supporting those with dyslexia by promoting inclusivity, access to education, and the use of effective strategies to support their learning journeys.

World Dyslexia Awareness Day aims to raise the profile of dyslexia for policymakers, educators, employers and the general public. Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, with around 700 million people affected worldwide. As well as raising awareness, World Dyslexia Day highlights the rights, capabilities and accomplishments of those who live with the condition. Dyslexia is a common condition which can be managed effectively with the correct support, and people with dyslexia can achieve their full potential.

 

Supporting People with Dyslexia.

There are several ways you can support people with dyslexia. First, learn about the condition and how it can affect people. Share information about dyslexia via social media to raise awareness; campaign for inclusive educational practices that accommodate students’ needs; support dyslexia organisations either by donating or volunteering; and encourage and support those with dyslexia to achieve their goals.

Employers should ensure workplaces are supportive environments that promote understanding, remove barriers, and inspire creativity, where dyslexic employees can contribute, develop skills, and prosper within the organisation.

Here at Edinburgh Napier University, the Disability Inclusion Team are available to ensure that every student has equal access to university life. The team can help students access the support they need during their time at university. The team work across all three campuses and offer support to students with a variety of learning difficulties, disabilities, and other support needs.

There are also a number of organisations which can provide information and support including Dyslexia Scotland, The Dyslexia Association and British Dyslexia Association.

 

Find out more:

Use LibrarySearch to find books and articles about Dyslexia.

 

By Sharon McMichael