Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Dyslexia Awareness Week is under way across the UK, running from Monday 6th October. Led by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), this year’s campaign carries the theme “Raise the Volume” and focuses on amplifying the voices of young people with dyslexia. The week features a new report, virtual events, and resources for schools and workplaces, alongside collaboration with initiatives such as Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution.
Dyslexia is a common specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading, writing and spelling. It is estimated that up to one in ten people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. The condition is not linked to intelligence but reflects differences in how the brain recognises and processes language. Many people with dyslexia also demonstrate particular strengths, including creativity, visual thinking and problem-solving skills, alongside challenges with written work.
Signs of dyslexia often appear in childhood, though some people are not diagnosed until later in life. Children may struggle to read or spell common words, confuse the order of letters or numbers, or find it difficult to remember sequences. Adults with dyslexia may read more slowly, find note-taking and organising written work demanding, or rely on alternative strategies to manage text-heavy tasks. Early identification and support can significantly improve outcomes.
There is no cure for dyslexia, but evidence-based teaching methods and practical strategies can help. Specialist teaching using multisensory approaches - combining visual, auditory and kinaesthetic techniques - helps learners connect sounds and symbols more effectively. Technology also plays a key role, with tools such as text-to-speech software, speech recognition, mind-mapping programmes and digital note-taking aids reducing the burden of reading and writing. The BDA provides resources during Awareness Week to help schools and employers implement these approaches.
Under the Equality Act 2010, dyslexia can meet the legal definition of disability when it has a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day activities. Schools, colleges and employers are therefore required to make reasonable adjustments, which can include extra time in exams, alternative formats for information, assistive technology or changes to workplace processes.
The “Raise the Volume” campaign places young people’s experiences at the heart of the discussion. The BDA’s report, based on the views of hundreds of young people, highlights the challenges they face in education and identifies priorities for change. Through personal stories, virtual events and interactive materials, the campaign aims to show what works and what still needs to improve, helping young people succeed.
Changing public attitudes is central to the campaign. Greater awareness among teachers, employers and families - along with consistent practical support - can help ensure that dyslexia is recognised as a different way of thinking rather than a deficit. For many people, the right combination of early intervention, specialist teaching and everyday adjustments opens up educational and career opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
As Dyslexia Awareness Week continues, the message is both practical and clear: listen to the experiences of those affected, act on what works, and make small but vital changes that allow different ways of thinking to flourish.
( Photos: Pixabay Library 📸 )