Neurodiversity and Me: A Personal Context

I am ‘Neurodivergent’. I am ‘Dyslexic’ and have lived my life negotiating what I was told was. Dyslexia is a ‘neurodevelopmental disorder’ which for many years a controversial thing. Growing up I realised how some people believed that children (like me) were ‘stupid’, ‘lazy’, ‘incompetent’ in relation to schoolwork (to some individuals); whilst others recognised that I struggled to see what was on the printed page yet could manage to negotiate tasks sufficiently when given agency. Read more…

Podcast: Dyslexia in Post Industrial Manchester by Roger Broadbent

This is a recording of the talk given by Roger Broadbent in Manchester as part of the Ragged University project. Dyslexia is a much misunderstood and ignored condition, and this leads to many people being marginalized and forced to the perifery of society. The screening for dyslexia is almost entirely missing in Manchester leading to swollen prison populations due the disenfranchisement of individuals through a bureaucratic society.
Roger explores how the condition has been wholly dismissed by some politidans leading to a culture of ignorance in policy terms. Roger works in learning support which is coming under further funding cuts at the moment. These are his views on his work and how people with dyslexia should be supported Read more…

The Ragged State of Dyslexic Help in Manchester by Ian Forrester

I hadn’t heard of Ragged talks but I was convinced to go as there was a talk about Making Manchester a Centre of Excellence for Dyslexia.

Ragged events are about getting together in social spaces, putting our feet up, breaking bread, and enjoying learning something new.

I like to think of Ragged talks as something between BarCamp and Tedx. Its certainly not as grand as a Tedx but much more pulled together by the community like a Barcamp. Their ethics and guidelines are well thought out too. But its single track and can be about anything interesting, theres also food and its free just like a barcamp. Read more…