Dyslexia in the workplace: Implications of the Americans with disabilities act

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) insures greater accessibility of disabled persons to the workplace. This includes persons with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The ADA requires reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, yet it is different in its mandates from many other federal laws addressing disability-related issues.This article reviews some of the critical provisions of the ADA as it applies to persons with dyslexia, outlines a procedure through which the employer and employee negotiate accommodations, and offers examples of typical workplace problems and corresponding modifications. Finally, some of the talents and strengths often associated with dyslexia are described, as is their potential value in the workplace.