By Aurora Betony Following ‘Writing for a Dyslexic Audience’, I’ve written a couple of guides on text readers. Text readers are software programs that read written text out loud. They are also known as ‘Text-to-speech technology’ or TTS. Some of the programs can do other things too, like customise the appearance of the text or make audio recordings. So they are very useful for anyone who finds reading difficult. Text readers can either be built into websites / blogs or downloaded onto a device or USB stick. So if you want to make your website or blog more dyslexia-friendly, you
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Dyslexia Alert Cards by Aurora Betony
Dyslexia Alert Cards By Aurora Betony Dyslexia Scotland is piloting the Dyslexia Alert Card shown below I think it will: help dyslexic people to ask for the help they need help dyslexic people and others communicate successfully with each other raise dyslexia awareness What does the card say on it? that you have dyslexia some things you might need help with that the person reading it should ask you how to help you details of Dyslexia Scotland’s helpline and website. How I use the card The card is the size of a credit card so I carry it around with me
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We need to move forward from a negative medical model definition for dyslexia
The following blog is by Stephen McCue. Hi hope you are all feeling fab out there. We need to move past a medical model definition of dyslexia that tells us we are broken. A definition that tells us we as dyslexics are the problem.It’s a model that sees us being segregated, marginalized and denied access to an education together with non dyslexics in an inclusive learning environment. It’s our education system that fails dyslexics not being dyslexic itself. We need to nurture not remediate. We need teachers in every classroom trained to enable us to learn. That’s why I support and
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Blog: Writing for a Dyslexic Audience
The following blog is by Aurora Betony. I am a dyslexic adult. I write self-help resources for dyslexic adults. My newest resource is a guide on how to write dyslexia-inclusive material. This guide is not about how to design a dyslexia-inclusive document e.g. size of font, typeface, line spacing. There’s already plenty of good guidance available on that[1]. My guide is about how to make the language of a written document accessible for dyslexic people. My guide is in 2 sections: Plain English e.g. sentence length, word length, choice of vocabulary. Other aspects of language and style such as figures
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication
CALL Scotland has developed five short online learning modules for people who would like to learn more about augmentative and alternative communication. Click here to find out more infromation about the modules
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Case Study: Rachael Monk – Inclusive Communication Advisory Group
Rachael with her senior PA – Michelle Rachael was born with Cerebral Palsy and this resulted in her being unable to control any of her limbs and that she has no speech. I have been supporting Rachael as both her advocate and less often as her adviser for almost 20 years. I first began working both with and for Rachael when she had problems with appropriate support at Annan Academy. I know that to use the word “inspirational” when related to disabled people is frowned upon but the plain and simple fact is that she is just that – inspirational!!
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Visual Impairment Awareness Training
Visualise Training and Consultancy are running Visual Impairment Awareness training this Autumn. The course is designed to empower and enable you to: Understand the main eye conditions and the importance of eye health Use appropriate language and effective communication – is it ok to say “see you later”? Confidently guide a person with a visual impairment Make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 Ensure your services are accessible for people with sight loss Date Glasgow – 26th October 2016 Booking Details You can book your place on the Visualise Training and Consultancy website or via email. Cost per attendee: £95.00
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Case Study: Access for all – it’s all of our business!
In the 2011 census around 1 million people living in Scotland reported that their day-to-day activities were limited by a long-term health problem or disability. This means that the current ‘Access All Areas’ campaign being led by the Largs and Millport News affects a significant number of people. Then remember that this campaign is also aimed at older people and parents with push chairs. That adds a few more people who might benefit. If we then consider that communication access is just as important as physical access, adding people with communication support needs means even more people benefit from this
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Case Study: Social connections – the key to access
In my first column about the Access for All campaign, I asked a provocative question: ‘…what would be the point of gaining physical access to a restaurant if you can’t read any of the menus?’ Perhaps, I could have asked what would be the point of gaining physical access to any building, if the lack of accessible information meant you didn’t know anything about the services that were offered inside. Of course, this question can be answered in many ways and Zoe Mclean last week highlighted the valuable advice that Access Panels give in making sure any building or service
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Case Study: Getting support to develop inclusive communication
The Access for All campaign is attracting wide support from many different people and organisations but where is it you can go for advice and support? Previous columns have highlighted simple steps all of us can take to make any business, service or even our own interactions with people more inclusive. In this article I will highlight where you can get additional information, advice and support around inclusive communication. This will not be an exhaustive list because there are many individuals and organisations who can give excellent advice and support depending on the type of question that you have. However,
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