UK Dyslexia Live - Dyslexia is classed as a disability

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Dyslexia is classed as a disability, and it is covered by the 1995 Disability Act

What does that mean for you?

Part four of the Disability Act , came into force in September 2002, offering guidance to LEAs, schools and students about inclusive education .

The heart of the Act states that all teachers should be trained in a way that gives access to a full curriculum for all students with a disability. This includes students with Dyslexia! Teachers should also be aware of how a disability affects the student and his/her ability to learn, otherwise they can't possibly know which reasonable adjustments to make to their delivery of the curriculum.

'Reasonable adjustments................' what are they?

It is the responsibility of every teacher to make reasonable adjustments.
If two students have the same level of IQ and one of them has no problem with understanding and retaining information , s/he would be able to achieve his/her maximum potential in a standard classroom environment with chalk and talk delivery.

Student 2, on the other hand, has major problems understanding and retaining information and is now classed as disadvantaged . The teacher has to adapt delivery of the curriuclum to put it over it in a way in which student 2 can learn effectively.

If the teacher does not make those adjustments , it is classed as unlawful discrimination.

Putting the student into special needs does not necessarily address the problem .In some cases it can compound the problem by making the student feel stupid, and alienate him from his peers.

So what do you do ?

If the student is having problems :

taking notes off the board. Try giving the student a printout of the information. This is a reasonable adjustment
problems in reading information. Use technological aids to access the information. These are reasonable adjustments.
persistently forgets homework, and receives detention. For a dyslexic this can be classed as unlawful discrimination. Use of a dictaphone to record homework would be a reaonsable adjustment.

This is a brief overview of part four of the Disability Act 1995 , and its effects on how dyslexics are taught.

For a full detailed guide to the Disability Rights Act Part 4, refer to LAWS, PARENTS, or TEACHERS on our HOME PAGE

It is now essential that the Government ensures there is appropriate support for teachers, school and universities to help them turn the spirit of the new Act into a practical reality. The DRC is playing its part by writing the Codes of Practice to support the Act.’

Since September 2002, new anti-discrimination laws came into effect. It is now unlawful for disabled pupils and students to be treated ‘less favourably’ when applying for a place at schools, colleges or universities. Providers of education must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure that disabled pupils and students are not disadvantaged.
It is vital that disabled pupils and students get the right start in life. These new rights will give disabled pupils and students the chance of an education free from discrimination.