Dyslexia Reasonable Adjustments Guide

Create an Inclusive Workplace for Applicants and Employees with Dyslexia

Supporting someone with dyslexia during recruitment or at work can involve a wide range of considerations, and knowing what reasonable adjustments may help is not always straightforward.

This practical Dyslexia Reasonable Adjustments Guide helps employees, employers, managers and HR professionals better understand how dyslexia may affect someone at work and the workplace barriers they may experience, with practical examples of adjustments and support that can be considered around the individual’s needs.

Whether you are preparing for a conversation about reasonable adjustments, recruiting someone with dyslexia, supporting an employee at work or helping them return following a period of absence, the guide provides a useful starting point without having to research everything from scratch.

Understanding Dyslexia at Work

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and spelling and involves differences in how language is processed. It is not related to a person’s general level of intelligence, and its impact can vary considerably from person to person.

The guide provides an overview of dyslexia alongside examples of difficulties such as reading fluently, spelling, processing language, remembering information and organising written work. It also considers how these may create barriers around written information, communication and day-to-day tasks, with examples of support that may help.

This provides useful context for understanding how dyslexia may affect someone at work before considering what reasonable adjustments could be appropriate for the individual.

Reasonable Adjustments Throughout Employment

The guide considers reasonable adjustments at three important stages, recognising that the support someone needs may vary depending on their circumstances.

During recruitment
Practical considerations include making application information clear and accessible, allowing additional time for written tasks or assessments where appropriate, considering alternative ways of demonstrating skills and discussing any individual support that may help the applicant participate fully.

At work
The guide explores areas such as task modification, supportive technology, clear written information, additional time where appropriate, alternative ways of receiving or presenting information, colleague awareness and other practical ways to reduce workplace barriers.

Returning from absence
Considerations include reviewing existing adjustments, re-establishing useful working arrangements and support, considering any changes to tasks or workplace demands and reviewing arrangements as the individual settles back into their role.

Supporting the Individual, Not Just the Condition

No two people will experience dyslexia in exactly the same way. The aspects of reading, writing or information processing someone finds difficult, the impact on their work and the adjustments that may help them can vary considerably.

The guide encourages an individual approach by helping you:

• Consider the person’s role, circumstances and specific workplace barriers
• Explore adjustments and support that could help address their individual needs and workplace barriers
• Use the suggestions as a starting point for conversations rather than a fixed checklist
• Review support as circumstances or needs change
• Record relevant points and considerations using the included editable notes page

The notes page includes separate areas for during recruitment, at work and return from absence, helping you keep useful information organised for future reference.

The rest of the guide is provided as practical reference information and can be viewed on a computer or mobile device or printed for easy reference.

How the Guide Is Structured

The guide takes you from understanding dyslexia and potential workplace barriers through to considering practical reasonable adjustments during recruitment, at work and when returning from absence, with an editable notes page for recording key points.

• Condition description
• Common symptoms, workplace barriers and tailored support
• Did You Know? fact page
• Reasonable adjustments during recruitment
• Reasonable adjustments at work
• Reasonable adjustments when returning from absence
• Editable notes page

Need Broader Reasonable Adjustments Support?

Our Reasonable Adjustments Bundles bring together practical resources to help you support a wider range of individual needs and put a more consistent approach to reasonable adjustments in place across your workplace.