New scheme to support staff with dyslexia

Imperial's new Accredited Dyslexia Champions will help to build a dyslexia-friendly culture.

The champions can provide confidential advice on a range of issues related to dyslexia, from queries on how to pursue a Workplace Needs Assessment to advice for managers on supporting a member of their team. They are all existing members of staff who have received specialist training.

The scheme aims to build a dyslexia-friendly culture at Imperial, so that all staff are able to reach their potential. To contact one of the champions, staff should email the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre at equality@imperial.ac.uk. 

Below, we hear from three of the new Accredited Dyslexia Champions ^TM:

Emily Pearson, Honorary Research Officer, Department of Medicine

I am Dyslexic, so I understand how difficult it can be to come forward and to talk about it, especially in the workplace.

Through this role I’m hoping to help reduce stigma towards neurodivergence and encourage people with processing differences to come forward so they can be supported to reach their full potential.

Remi Serwa, Research Associate, Department of Chemistry

One of the things I appreciated more through the programme is that people think in different ways, even if they’re given the same information. It may seem obvious but we tend to forget about it.

I have suspected I had dyslexia for a long time, having had difficulty with reading and writing.

By being a Dyslexia Champion I am hoping to understand how to help myself and others to cope with these challenges.

Steve Cousins, Client Relationships Manager, Business School

A few years ago I had a screening and was diagnosed as dyslexic quite late in life. But there were lots of things I still didn’t know about before starting the training.

The programme gave me more clarity and understanding. Everyone is different, and dyslexia affects people in different ways. So you could have someone with dyslexia who has big difficulties with organisation and time management. Because there isn’t much awareness that these can be symptoms of dyslexia, they may not have sought support. I want to change that.