THE MORE WE TALK, LEARN, UNDERSTAND; THE MORE WE OVERCOME.
The 7-13th of October marks Dyslexia Awareness Week; this year’s theme is ‘What’s Your Story?’. With 10% of the population being dyslexic – that’s over 6.7 million stories to tell.
We took this as an opportunity to host another one of our ‘Together We Stand’ open forum sessions, for our CEO, Marcus Orme, to share his personal journey of living with dyslexia. Through a series of honest questions, Marcus opened up about his experience, challenging common misconceptions about dyslexia and reminding us that it is not a reflection of intelligence, but simply a different way of processing information.
Throughout the session, some key actions became clear:
Treat Dyslexia as your Superpower
Marcus sees dyslexia and all types of neurodivergence as a superpower. He turns what some may call challenges into fuel, pushing himself beyond expectations. He explained that by reframing dyslexia as a strength rather than a limitation, thinking differently and using unconventional methods to overcome obstacles, become invaluable assets to individuals, their colleagues and the businesses they work with.
How to support those with dyslexia
Marcus shared practical insights on how to support dyslexic individuals in everyday life, particularly in the workplace. One key suggestion was to simplify communication – using bullet points and concise summaries helps ensure that information is easier to digest. Additionally, he stressed the importance of offering flexibility in communication methods, preferring quick in-person chats or brief overviews when appropriate.
The advent of AI tools has also been transformative. Utilising the technology to transcribe meetings or summarise information, he has been able to manage his dyslexia more effectively, improving both productivity and efficiency.
What we can do to create an inclusive workplace
The discussion during Dyslexia Awareness Week underscored the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where neurodiversity is recognised and valued. Marcus’ story serves as a powerful reminder, breaking down barriers, misconceptions and stigma around neurodivergence, and shines light on how supporting dyslexic individuals can unlock their full potential.
From his experience, Marcus has created a work-culture where open communication and empathy are weaved within every day practices, and where tools and resources are made available to help our Medialabbers flourish.
By embracing neurodivergence, workplaces, colleagues and clients all benefit from the unique perspectives and problem-solving abilities that dyslexic individuals bring to the table.
Together We Stand is Medialab’s topical, open discussion forum aimed to broaden our minds and educate ourselves about each other’s differences, allowing our team to connect over shared experiences. Aimed at building a non-judgemental, inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves, we’ve covered a range of topics and issues over the years, around gender, race, disabilities, mental health, menopause, the LGBTQIA+ community and anti-sexual harassment, to name a few. Our next panel event will be hosted by our ‘Roots’ community to mark the end of Black History Month – watch this space!
