Dyslexia Awareness Week 2026: Making Work More Inclusive
As ever, the first full week of October marks Dyslexia Awareness Week (DAW) in the UK, with International Dyslexia Day falling on the 8th of October every year. That’s why we wanted to shine a light on this important issue and examine some of the ways that accommodations and tools can be used to support the inclusion of dyslexic people in every aspect of life.
This year, DAW is focusing on adults with dyslexia and their experiences at work. Traditionally, dyslexia awareness has very much centred on school-age children and how learning is affected, which of course is an important part of the discourse, however dyslexia is a lifelong condition and may affect many aspects of working life. Adjustments can and should be made in the workplace, as in school, to allow dyslexic people to achieve their full potential at work.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a form of neurodivergence and describes a difference in how an individual learns and processes information. People with dyslexia often have strengths in skills such as creative thinking or problem solving, but can struggle with things like spelling, reading and fact-learning. The NHS estimates that up to 1 in 10 people in the UK have some degree of dyslexia, with around 4% of the population deemed to be severely affected.
A Closer Look at This Year’s Theme
Entitled ‘Dyslexia in real life: At work’, the 2026 DAW theme is aiming to build understanding, challenge barriers, and encourage dyslexic adults to contribute, develop and thrive in the workplace. Dyslexic employees bring many valuable skills and different ways of thinking to their work, but when workplaces are not designed to account for these differences, they can create unnecessary barriers to success.
It’s vital that employers, managers and employees build an understanding of dyslexia and how it can affect navigating the workplace, communicating with colleagues and managing everyday tasks. It’s important to remember that adjustments do not give dyslexic employees an advantage, they remove barriers that should not be there in the first place.
Barriers at Work Start at School
For many dyslexic adults, the barriers they faced at school appear in different forms in the world of work. From completing a job application to managing competing priorities and different ways of communicating, the workplace is generally set up for neurotypical thinking and creates a host of unnoticed issues for those with dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence.
The British Dyslexia Association cites that 9 in 10 adults they surveyed said that their dyslexia reduced their confidence, and more than half said dyslexia made them feel bad about themselves. It’s clear then, that dyslexia, much more than simply finding certain tasks difficult, affects how people see themselves and what they feel they can achieve, influencing career choices, progression, and much more.
What Types of Accommodation Can Support Dyslexic People at Work
In the UK, dyslexia is a disability recognised under the Equality Act 2010, meaning employers have a legal duty to consider reasonable adjustments that can help reduce or remove disadvantages at work.
In practice, that can look like:
- Changing how information is given and/or received
This might include providing instructions in more than one format (e.g. verbal and written) or making written materials easier to read – using clear fonts in a larger text size and allowing employees to choose background colours that reduce visual stress. RHINO’s range of tinted paper and exercise books is designed specifically for this purpose, helping to reduce glare and make text more stable on the page. Such a simple change can really help to build confidence. - Providing assistive technology and equipment
There are so many tools and apps that can help reduce the load on reading, writing and organisation in the workplace. For example: screen readers, dictation apps, visual planning tools, digital calendars, task lists and reminder apps. - Changing the work environment
Reducing distractions and visual or auditory overload can really make a difference. Adaptations may include providing a quiet, low-distraction workspace, providing noise-cancelling headphones, allowing homeworking arrangements or more frequent breaks. - Changing tasks, training or management style
How work is organised and supervised has a significant impact on dyslexic people. Providing clear, well-structured communications, breaking down larger tasks into clearly defined steps, and providing dyslexia awareness training to employees are all strategies that can help.
Every dyslexic person is different, so it’s important to find out what helps them specifically and keep open-minded about how support can work.
Make sure to follow #DAW for updates on social media, where the British Dyslexia Association will be sharing new research, lived experiences, and practical guidance for employers all week. You can also visit the main campaign page online at https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/support-us/awareness-events
At RHINO, we’re proud to make a range of high-quality paper stationery that helps to support dyslexic people both in school and at work. Our award-winning SEN range helps address visual processing challenges, and includes refill pads and exercise books in a range of paper types and colours. Our Flexiback Notebook also features dyslexia-friendly cream paper with a soft touch cover – perfect for taking notes at work.
Use code TINTED10 to enjoy 10% off our SEN range until 31 October 2026.
Find out more and sign up for updates on Dyslexia Awareness Week, here.
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