This week is Dyslexia Awareness Week.

I think dyslexia is something most people have heard about but not many people really understand. I’ve heard people talk about how it’s a way to scam a free computer or get special requirements in exams or how, fundamentally, it’s just a problem with spelling.

Of course, none of this is actually true.

In reality, dyslexia affects people in a whole variety of ways. It can affect everything from time management and organisational skills to the more obvious reading and writing difficulties most people would associate with dyslexia. This week, the Disability Advisory Service have a stand in the Sherfield foyer if you want to come and have a chat about any concerns you may have about dyslexia – they offer a screening service can also provide appointments with advisors to talk more generally about disabilities.

The definition of disability that we use at Imperial is really broad and covers everything from chronic conditions such as diabetes, to mental health conditions, to learning difficulties to more physical impairments. It is recommended that you disclose any disability you may have to College so that reasonable adjustments can be put in place to ensure there are no barriers to your studies.

We’re hoping to collect students’ experiences of studying with dyslexia for an article in Felix, so if you’d like to contribute feel free to email me at dpwelfare@ic.ac.uk. We can keep submissions anonymous or name you if you wish.

For more information about dyslexia or the Disability Advisory Service, email: disabilities@imperial.ac.uk.