Fair Consideration for Dyslexia.

So today seems to have been an impromptu “dyslexia day, and we have Starbucks to thank for that. 
 
 They have helped to raise the profile of dyslexics in the UK today, though they did not intend to. If they had settled with Ms Kumulchew before the employment tribunal met today, it would have meant no publicity for the dyslexic world. Instead Starbucks had their day in court. Although I am sure this is cold comfort for Ms Kumulchew, who no doubt just wanted recognition of her difficulties, equality in the workplace and some fair consideration, it has sparked considerable debate in the media today which is good.
 
 The debate was led by Nicky Campbell who hosted a great phone-in this morning on BBC Radio 5 live. Some of the contributions and stories were amazingly powerful and emotive. You could almost physically experience caller Tim’s feelings when he was asked about reading aloud in class. Some of us have been there and we understand that gut churning sensation.
 
 Kenny Logan’s own story has been shared with many before, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful. He had already been consigned to the ‘you’ll never amount to anything class’ before finding a single teacher who connected with him through sport. 
 
 But what if he hadn’t had sport as an outlet or a way to express himself? 
 
 Nicky Campbell was right when he said that there is now much more awareness around learning difficulties like dyslexia than there has ever been. But sadly noise doesn’t always equate to action. 
 
 We are a long way from having a best practice approach to identifying children with dyslexia or other difficulties across our 16,000 UK primary schools and then actually supporting them with appropriate, proven interventions. There are as many children today feeling that sweat of reading aloud panic in the classroom as there ever was. There are as many children today being consigned to the ‘forget them’ group as there ever was.
 
 And that’s not good enough.
 
 As UK PLC we can do much better. Much better. There are enough teachers, parents, educators, government resources with the experience and means to help a lot more children have a better learning experience. We just need to do things differently. We can do it but not if we take the easy route of doing what we have always done. That route isn’t working. 
 
 Ms Kumulchew didn’t take the easy route. 
 
 Do you know how stressful it can be to go to an employment tribunal against any employer let alone a giant like Starbucks? It can become all consuming of your energy and indeed your life. The system is against you. The funding is against you. The odds are against you.
 
You need real courage to prevail.
 
 So it may be little comfort to Ms Kumulchew but thank you. You were very brave to stand up for yourself. And thanks too to the Green Mermaid. We need all the help we can get and without meaning to, you helped.