Canterbury College and Dyslexia in the Work Place

A new project at Canterbury College ‘Dyslexia in the work place’ has been initiated with funding from the Learning Skills Council to support both students and local employers in Kent.

Under the changes in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) employers are newly required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for dyslexic employees and Canterbury College will be supporting them with this new found initiative.

The college will also have one of the first ‘Work Based Assessors’ in the country trained by the British Dyslexia Association. (BDA) This means the assessor will be able to support local businesses across Kent with employees who have dyslexia. The assessor will be able to visit local businesses, meet employers and employees and set up training needs and courses.

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) is also offering certification to employers for a Quality Mark. The BDA code of practice for employers now offers accessible, practical advice to help achieve a dyslexia friendly work place, in which difficulties with employees can be supported and talents fully developed.

At the end of the recent college term Margaret Malpas, Chairperson for the British Dyslexia Association, visited Canterbury College. Margaret presented Alana Hollister a professional catering student with a ‘certificate of achievement’ for Alana’s hard work and outstanding completion of all targets set during the academic year. Alana has recently secured part time work and will use this practical experience to assist with her academic studies.