My friend is dyslexic.
Last year, one of the senior tutors in our department refused to put lecture notes on the website beforehand in case people "cheated". Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but as his teaching style was rather vague my friend asked him if he could make a concession- she was paying for lectures she couldn't follow. Could he email her the notes or a lesson plan?

"Oh no, I don't have time for that," he said, and walked off.

Later on in the seminar, when we were discussing the module (i.e talking about the last episode of Tudors) he came around the class... not to answer questions, but to do a register. Because anyone who wasn't attending was going to be disciplined. He asked us both our names.

"Are you sure you have time to do that?" We asked.

He blinked at us, thought for a minute, and just walked off. It was another week before he asked us our names again.
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Thu 17 Jun 2010, 19:26, 6 replies)

I remember this situation, and there are thankfully many solutions.
1. Disability rep for your academic dept (these guys are either really good or awful, so worth a shot).

2. Disability dept at uni (the biggie). They can put pressure on the member of staff officially.

3. Failing those, the student union.

I had a blokey who had just started that year (from another, much larger uni) that initially refused because "he wanted people to turn up to the lectures". I got to step 2 and things got fixed: and I hope he eventually realises that the attendance rate for our classes is double what he is used to!

One guy I had no chance though: *his* lecture prompts were illegible scribbles that were many years old, and often misplaced: but I had sympathy there. He did however scan all the example worked questions up for people, so it was a case of "can't" rather than "wont".
(mmmm curry doesn't really understand this sig lark, Thu 17 Jun 2010, 19:37, closed)

Yeah, thankfully it's been remedied now
But I hate to think of all the people struggling who don't stand up for themselves...
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Thu 17 Jun 2010, 20:37, closed)

Absolutely, very well put.
I have a similar problem and carry my camera so I can photograph whiteboards. Nobody's complained yet.

My training as a tutor was big on the diversity/inclusion stuff. If lecturers aren't making their teaching accessible to everyone then they're not doing the job.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Fri 18 Jun 2010, 9:41, closed)

Dyslexia is very vague term
Essentially all it means is 'difficulty reading'. Put that in context consider 'difficulty walking' which might be anything from a sore big toe to paraplegia.
The result is that someone gets a label of 'dyslexia' and is left to their own devices. Indeed, a good many 'diagnoses' would be due to poor reading instruction rather than any clear cognitive deficit.
If you've made it to uni, doubtful that there is a strong underlying problem with language.
If you're firend hasn't already, I'd suggest going to see a good educational psychologist for testing and to try and find some strategies for addressing the underlying problem.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sun 20 Jun 2010, 8:21, closed)

I can't work out if you're trolling me or not.
EDIT: My friend has been diagnosed professionally and is listed as needing educational assistance. She can cope quite well with notes and a systematic approach, but have a rambling lecture and no notes would be incomprehensible. She is one of many people I know at university who are dyslexic, not just that they have "trouble reading" but their processing ability works in a different manner to that generally accepted by educational standards.
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Mon 21 Jun 2010, 17:04, closed)

At uni, they usually require a detailed assessment before you're allowed assistance in the way the OP's friend was requesting
So we can most likely safely assume that the underlying problem has already been assessed.

I have problems with spelling, reading, writing and speaking but I am not dyslexic: I am dyspraxic. ^_^
(mmmm curry doesn't really understand this sig lark, Mon 21 Jun 2010, 20:16, closed)