Categories: irlens-and-stuff
Date: 11 December 2008 13:24:40
I've had the recommendations through from my DSA assessment and seeing it all in black and white is interesting. Hope that the LEA accept the report because what is contained in there will make a huge difference. Although, have to admit that it does scare me a bit because it increases the financial implications if for any reason I'm don't manage to finish my course. However, assuming it does all work out there are only benefits from this and no financial implications. (Note to all: it should all work out, but still having the odd wobble over the lack of job, etc - it may be about February when I hear back about the thing I had an interview for last week).
The central part of it is going to be finally getting my proper test for my Meares Irlen Syndrome. It's something I've needed for some time but which has been prohibatively expensive.
Whilst there have been times I've really struggled with the whole process because I do kind of take the view I've been getting on alright with my own stratagies I have found having to spell out what my difficulties are and what strategies I have put in place over the years useful.
I'm also realising through listening to other people as well as reflecting on my own experience how the whole area is quite complex. For many of us with these conditions, (like dyslexia, dyspraxia and Irlens), modern technology is both helping and hindering us loads.
Here are some examples from my world:
Word 2007 is brilliant! I can get just the shade of grey I need my background colour to be up really easily on any document.
Online forms and online readings - tricky. I need to print stuff off to go through in a paperbased format, on a screen I tend to get lost. If I am checking detail with online forms it gets difficult and I tend to miss vital bits of information out, sometimes.
Programmes that have split screens and where you need to see whole screen at once - no chance. I have to carefully work my way around all the sections, in order, as I need.
On-screen tests - Um, great. It was my insistence on doing a paper based one that started the process, last academic year, which led to me being identified as having strong indicators for the relevant "disabilities".
Font size - I know Arial size 12 is what works for me, so tis good that with modern technology I can work in that and change some stuff that comes through into relevant format.
Non-techy based stuff I've discovered which might be useful - the size of the overlay makes a difference. When I moved up to Durham I changed from an A4 to an A5, it's brilliant. So much easier when I am reading books and working my way through printouts of journal articles, etc.