Dyslexia – a successful journey through university and into the workplace

The aim for this event is:

• To celebrate dyslexia and its positive aspects/strengths.
• To promote the benefits of creating Dyslexia Friendly Organisations.
• To improve career opportunities and inclusive recruitment/ employment practices
• To raise funds to support The Dyslexia Association

Audience:

• Students (FE & HE)
• Teachers, trainee teachers, TAs, tutors, lecturers, SENCOs, education managers.
• Businesses, business students, HR, Occupational Health, Equality and Diversity leads, Line Managers.
• Voluntary & Community Sector organisations & training providers

10:00am - Guest Speaker (not to be missed!)

Training Workshops: (Must be booked)

Please note: These workshops run parallel during the morning and afternoon. Please ensure that you have checked the session times before booking on to workshops to avoid disappointment.

Donations are optional but will be greatly received as part of our fundraising event. Many thanks!

Please aim to arrive at the university for 9am for these morning workshops to allow for booking in at what will be a busy period. The coffee shop will be open to purchase refreshments.

10:30am – 12:00pm - Dyslexia in the Workplace (1.5hrs)

• Raising awareness of and gaining a better understanding of dyslexia in the workplace (What is dyslexia?),
• Typical problems and solutions,
• Identifying and implementing reasonable adjustments (legal compliance, Equality Act 2010, best practice)
• How to support dyslexic employees, helping them become more effective/efficient/productive and happier members of the workforce
  
• An overview of assistive technology (voice recognition, text-to-speech, mind mapping, handheld gadgets etc)
• An overview of coping strategies (time management and organisational skills, note taking and report writing etc.)

10:30am – 12:00pm - Dyslexia - Early intervention, Better Future - Practical resources for the primary classroom (1.5hrs)

This hands on session will include materials for the following:

• sequencing
• writing
• organisation
• reading
• dictionary work
• spelling

12:00pm – 12:30pm – Lunch

Refreshments & food can be purchased from the in-house cafeteria, café/coffee shops or from the bar. We will also be selling cakes to raise funds for The Dyslexia Association.

12:30pm – 2:00pm - Study Skills – How to become a successful student (1.5hrs)

An invitation to take part in activities that could help you to evaluate your current skills, develop good study habits and up your grades.

12:30pm – 2:00pm Assistive Technology (1.5hrs) (1)

An invitation to take part in a ‘speed dating’ style workshop; to see demonstrations and try a range of Assistive Technology solutions, including:

• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• TextHelp Read & Write
• Global Autocorrect
• Mind Mapping (iMindMap, Mind Genius, Mind Manager, Inspiration)
• Livescribe SmartPens
• iPads & Tablets
• Sonocent (visual and interactive audio notetaker for comprehensive notes)
• Other technologic gadgets

Due to popular demand we will now be doing one extra workshop.

2:30pm - 4:00pm Assistive Technology (1.5hrs) (2)

An invitation to take part in a ‘speed dating’ style workshop; to see demonstrations and try a range of Assistive Technology solutions, including:

• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• TextHelp Read & Write
• Global Autocorrect
• Mind Mapping (iMindMap, Mind Genius, Mind Manager, Inspiration)
• Livescribe SmartPens
• iPads & Tablets
• Sonocent (visual and interactive audio notetaker for comprehensive notes)
• Other technologic gadgets

Exhibition Area:An empowering exhibition used to motivate and inspire students to break down the barriers, aim high and realise their limitless potential.

• The inspirational learning journeys of current dyslexic students and successful professionals will be showcased to demonstrate what can be achieved through utilizing the gifts/strengths of dyslexia and dogged persistence.

Stands:

The Dyslexia Association, The University of Derby support services, Student Union, careers & recruitment companies, technology companies. As well fundraising stands which will include a raffle and cake stall:

• The Dyslexia Association
• The University of Derby Study Skills Dept
• The University of Derby Careers + Employment Service
• The University of Derby Student Wellbeing Service
• The University of Derby Student Union (Rag)
• LexAble (assistive technology http://www.lexable.com/
• The Clear Company http://www.clearkit.co.uk/theclearcompany
• textHELP Ltd http://www.texthelp.com/UK
• Inspiration http://www.inspiration.com/
• Sonocent http://www.sonocent.com/
• KRCS (Apple Resellers)
• Dolphin Computer Access Solutions http://www.yourdolphin.co.uk/dolphin.asp?id=44
• Lattitude Global Volunteering http://www.lattitude.org.uk/what-can-i-do/
• Vintage Cake stall
• Charity Raffle (lots of lovely prizes)

• And more to be announced

Partners:

•The Dyslexia Association (http://www.dyslexia.uk.net/)

•The University of Derby (Student Wellbeing, Careers + Employment Services, Study Skills Department)

•Huge thanks to Sarah Chapman, whose passion for supporting her fellow University of Derby students with dyslexia, led her to creating and organising this event for her Futures Award, Leadership and Management project (http://www.derby.ac.uk/files/futures_award.pdf)

Many thanks. We will see you there!

Sarah Chapman

Student Representative (SEND Pathway)

Volunteer Events Coordinator (The Dyslexia Association)