Free dyslexia assessments offered to farmers in Scotland

A quarter of farmers in Scotland are estimated to have dyslexia, but many have never been formally assessed – especially those over 40, according to Dyslexia Scotland.

In response to this, during November and December 2023, RSABI will offer farmers and crofters who may have dyslexia, but have never been assessed, a free professional assessment.

Assessments typically cost around £500.

RSABI’s campaign also aims to raise awareness of how to make information in farming more dyslexia friendly by taking simple steps to improve communications.

To arrange a free assessment, those involved in farming or crofting in Scotland should contact RSABI’s 24-hour freephone helpline: 0808 1234 555.

“It was a relief to discover I had dyslexia”

Pete Black, who farms at Newton of Collessie, spoke openly about having dyslexia when the Black family appeared in the ‘This Farming Life’ series.

Pete didn’t realise he had dyslexia until he was an adult, by which time he had developed a range of coping strategies.

“When I was at school in the 1990s dyslexia wasn’t spoken about very much but I knew I was always last to finish my reading. The words would jumble in my head when I was looking at them and then they would jumble even more when I tried writing them down,” he said.

He said there are times, such as when he wants to clarify something on official websites which involve monochrome and block text, particularly with complex jargon, can be very difficult to process.

“I am lucky to do a job I love but it was a great relief to me to discover that I had dyslexia and to know that the reason I was struggling wasn’t down to a lack of effort or not trying hard enough.”

“Dyslexia should not hold you back”

Encouraging others who suspect they may have dyslexia but have not been assessed to contact RSABI, he said that by doing so they may well learn something which will help make life easier, as different approaches work best for different people.

“My advice to any young person, and especially those in farming, is dyslexia should not hold you back in any way. You just have to find the best management technique for yourself – whether it is different fonts or different colours of paper you read from.

“Try not to worry as there are hundreds of successful people living life to the full who have dyslexia and it has not stopped anyone doing anything. It is just a different way to look at a problem.”

Simple steps can make a big difference

Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, said the charity was delighted to be working with Dyslexia Scotland on the initiative.

“We are regularly contacted by farmers who are struggling with dyslexia and we know it can be worrying and distressing to be struggling to read and understand information, particularly for farmers with dyslexia living on their own.

“The reality is that simple steps like using certain fonts, avoiding white paper or backgrounds and block text can make a big difference, along with providing video and infographic content.”

Contact RSABI’s 24-hour freephone helpline – 0808 1234 555 – to book an assessment.