At the Foundation what is important to us is that everything we do is underpinned by evidence-based research. That’s why we’ve partnered with La Trobe University to undertake research, which supports young people and adults with learning disabilities, enjoy better mental wellbeing and feel included and respected in their workplace.

This is the first time an organisation in Australia has undertaken research like this. It’s an exciting time!

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Research project 2 - Looking from the Outside In - Dyslexia and the Workplace

The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, we will seek to better understand a person’s experience with Dyslexia in the workplace. Data will be collected through interviews conducted with adults who have Dyslexia working or have previously held employment. Secondly, this research will seek the views and experiences of employers who work or manage staff with Dyslexia. In this way, we are seeking to capture both perspectives of the workforce.

This research will be the first of its kind in Australia. Outcomes of this research will contribute to improving, and or, establishing preliminary strategies and processes around how to best accommodate the needs of individuals with Dyslexia in the workplace, whilst also meeting the expectations of employers.

Calling Dyslexic Employees

If you are 18 or over and have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia I would like to hear from you.

I am a research student in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University, and I am investigating the impact of living and working with dyslexia in adulthood. This is the first time anyone in Australia has conducted research to gain a better understanding of lived experiences within the workplace for adults with dyslexia.

If you live in Australia, have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, and have disclosed that you have dyslexia to an employer, I invite you to participate in an interview with me exploring your views and your experiences within the workplace.

The interview will take up to one hour and can be done at a time that is convenient for you, through Zoom (which is like Skype), by phone, or face-to-face.  Your privacy will always be respected and the information you provide will be treated with strict confidentiality.  

 

Calling Employers that have worked with Dyslexic Employees

Are you an employer with at least 10 employees? 

Have you been running an organisation for more than three years in Australia?

Then I would love to hear from you! 

I am a research student in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University, and I am investigating the impact of dyslexia within the workplace. This is the first time anyone in Australia has conducted research to gain a better understanding of lived experiences within the workplace for adults with dyslexia and their employers.

If you have worked within HR, management and/or at the executive level in an Australian organisation with more than 10 staff, and have managed staff that have disclosed to you that they have dyslexia, then I invite you to participate in an interview exploring your views and understanding of dyslexia and its impact in the workplace.

The interview will take up to one hour to complete and it will be done online via Zoom (which is like Skype), so you can be anywhere within Australia. The interview can be undertaken during or after business hours, or on a weekend. Your responses will be collected in an anonymous format.  

Participating in this study will allow you to provide a vital employer perspective on the impact of dyslexia within your workplace.

Please contact Shae Wissell at [email protected] or on 1800 589 667 to find out more about how you can participate in this exciting, first-of-its-kind research in Australia.

This research project is under the supervision of Dr Leila Karimi and Dr Tanya Serry from the La Trobe University.

 

When people with Dyslexia enter the workforce, they must adapt to a complex environment with numerous demands while receiving little to no support (Beer., et al, 2014). 

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Research project 1 - Impacts of living with dyslexia in adulthood

The Dear Dyslexic Foundation has conducted research into the social and emotional wellbeing of young people s who live with dyslexia about how they think their overall wellbeing is going.

Our aim is to explore the impact that people with dyslexia think that dyslexia has on their psychosocial and emotional wellbeing. Once we've found this information, we will use that to support a larger thesis research study that will look at dyslexia as the hidden disability in the workplace.

A recent Australian study by Boyes et al (2015, pg. 264) suggests that:

Reading difficulties are a risk factor for the development of later mental health problems.

We're breaking new and important ground!

Dear Dyslexic Foundation — empowering young people and adults to reach their full potential. Changing the world through storytelling.