5 ways to present information visually

I benefit from information being presented visually. So in this blog post, I’d like to share with you 5 ways to present information visually, and the purposes I use them for.

1. Spider diagram

What’s a spider diagram?

A diagram that has a main idea in the middle and key points around it. Spider diagrams don’t always use colour and have no specific structure.  In other words, you can position the key points wherever you wish.

I use spider diagrams to:

a) Brainstorm for a piece of creative writing

b) Plan a piece of non-fiction writing. I write my key points on post-it notes because this lets me move them around once I have them all down. Having my content all on one page lets me make connections between points.  For example, often I realise that 2 or 3 points that I thought were separate are actually examples of the same thing.  That lets me group them.  Moving and grouping my points generates a structure.

c) Learn and give talks. When I’m using spider diagrams for talks, I add pictures because they help me memorise the content. I chunk my talk into sections and for each section I make a different spider diagram on a different colour of paper

2. Mind map

What’s a mind map?

Like a spider diagram, a mind map is a diagram that has a main idea in the middle and key points around it. However, mind maps also show how the points relate to each other, and use colour, symbols and pictures.

Here are 3 resources on mind mapping

a) Audiobook: Mind Mapping – How to Liberate Your Natural Genius

b) Step-by-step instructions: ‘Understanding Dyslexia’ pages 68-75

c) Software:  I Have a Writing Difficulty, What Can Help?

3. Illustrated text

What’s illustrated text?

Text and complementary images presented together to convey the same information. I make a simple table in Word with 2 columns. I put one point in each row, with an image on the left and the corresponding text on the right.

I use illustrated text to:

a) Learn talks I give

b) Learn stories

c) Summarise recommendations I make in a talk (I hand out copies to the audience)

You can find sources of images in

a) CALL Scotland’s Guide to Picture and Symbol Sets for Communication and

b) Our top 5 sites for sourcing great images and photos on your iPad.

4. Sketchnote

What’s a sketchnote?

A record of something in words, pictures and other visual elements e.g. colour, frames, callouts. The text and visual elements combine to make an integrated whole.

I’ve made sketchnotes to summarise the main points of talks and blog posts I’ve given / written. And sketchnotes by others have helped me to learn stories and to find out about a network group.

For more information see Sketchnoting for Teaching and Learning.

5. Timeline

What’s a timeline?

A line that shows the events of something in chronological order.

I made a timeline to remind myself of a correspondence I had with an organisation.

Manual or electronic?

I use a pencil and paper to create some visual presentations of information e.g. spider diagrams; and a computer for others e.g. illustrated text.  If I’m presenting the information to others, I create an electronic version.

Further information

You’ll find a summary of this blog post here, along with some worked examples.

By a member of Dyslexia Scotland.

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The Choices We Make – the Life it Shapes

When I was 7, my mother asked if I wanted to change school. I was at a public school and was struggling with my reading and writing. It was suggested I was dyslexic but there was little extra time to give me at my current school to help me improve. My mother had found a place for me at a private school, where the money spent would go towards a smaller class size with (in theory) more time for the individual student and extra, private tutoring after school. I was excited about the idea. I loved change. So, after the summer break I started at a new school. So far, so good. I made instant friends, being chatty and outgoing and even felt comfortable (shamefully) ignoring the less popular girls to hang with the ‘cool kids’ – I’d never been a cool kid before myself!

However, shortly after starting at the new school, there was a school party. I went. I hung out with the cool girls and we shared dumb stories about boys. The following Monday I walked into class with confidence and joy… but things had changed.

As an adult I can try and analyse what had happened. Had the cool girls become jealous of my elaborate stories, or resented me for clearly lying, or were they simply looking for a new girl to pick on, bored by the old selection?

I don’t have the answers. I once tried getting it from one of the bullies as an adult, but she denied it had ever happened though it hadn’t stopped until I left school altogether.

I’m now an introvert. I don’t want to be the centre of attention and would prefer staying at home with a book, to going to a party. I’m not outgoing nor sociable. I’m happy with who I am (most of the time) but there are consequences to being a quiet person both socially, romantically and career wise.

I’m still dyslexic, of course, but I can mostly get by without anyone realising (thank goodness for spell check and autocorrect). In my spare time I write (unpublished) books and blogs and I love reading too, so, naturally, most people are surprised when I tell them I’m dyslexic.

Then, the other day I was talking to my mum about my outgoing, chatty 7-year-old niece who may need to move school soon due to moving house. My mum was worried. What if she faces the same problems as me, being removed from her life-long friends? Why would she? I asked. She’s confident and happy, I argued. So were you when you were that age, before the school change, my mother reminded me.

I was stunned. I’m 35 and I’d forgotten this fact about myself as I identify so strongly with being an introvert. I desperately wanted to change as a teen and in my 20s but failed. Clearly I’d always been a person in need of peace and quiet… but apparently not.

I was left wondering – if I could get a do-over and not get the intense help I did as a child for my dyslexia, risking being very badly dyslexic today, but had instead grown up among friends, and stayed confident and happy, like my older, very sociable, popular and dyslexic brother, who avoids emails, still embarrassed he might make mistakes, would I make a different choice…?

After all, it wasn’t my dyslexia that ruined my confidence but my peers and teachers.

I think I know the answer. It was difficult for me to admit.

What would you choose if it was you?

By Terese Smith (guest blogger)

Dyslexia Scotland’s Youth Day is Always Full of Stars!

As the annual Youth Day is just around the corner once again, I thought I’d let you all know about my experience at last year’s youth day.

I had a stall in the foyer with my paper crafts (see the picture above). I had some complete items for the young delegates to pick up and keep and some packs for them to make up themselves (either at the youth day or later at home).

I believe that these star cards are fantastic illustrations of the hidden nature of dyslexia. I wanted the young people to learn from them that their label needn’t be, “I’m dyslexic” but “I’m A Star, with dyslexia”. I provided many colours (and patterned papers) to illustrate the individual nature of dyslexia, and how individuality should be embraced.

I enjoyed watching the young bright stars who came along to take part in the event and how they interacted with the wonderful volunteer stars (who helped them all to have as good a time as possible [given it was a Saturday]). I hope this event and every subsequent annual youth day allows young, and the slightly more experienced, to learn from each other.

I believe there are 2 main points everyone needs to learn (and re-learn) and remember:-

• We cannot hide our ‘star’light under a bush or under the disabling effects of dyslexia (or whatever our problems are)
• Mistakes are learning experiences. More Mistakes = More Learning

I hope that through the Youth Day the young people will gain some “wisdom” / “well-being”. I hope the next generation of dyslexics will be strong advocates for themselves and others. It’s through strong and nurturing people like the workshop speakers and facilitators, that this world will become a better place for everyone; and hopefully help the human race make use of its diversity and allow everyone to live better and more fulfilled lives.

There is something else I would like to suggest to the Dyslexic Community. I wasn’t overly involved in the dyslexic community (other than through support at school and university) when I was young. Because of this, I blamed all my muddled thinking and confused cognitive processes on my dyslexia.

It was only through attending the Adult Network meetings and my involvement with Dyslexia Scotland, that I realised that I am an anxious person (and that my mood can be affected by the weather and seasons). I have found my dyslexia has been much easier to control now that I have sought help with controlling my moods.

Therefore, I would suggest to everyone living with dyslexia: to find out about it. Knowledge (however you input it) is power. Understanding gives control. Control fights monsters and lets the light shine brightly.

Doreen Kelly, Dyslexia Scotland member and volunteer

Learning styles and strategies

This blog post looks at learning styles:

• What are learning styles?
• How can learning styles help dyslexic people?
• How can you work out your own learning styles?

And then at strategies:

•  Some approaches and strategies I use to learn things by ear
• Some books that offer approaches and strategies.

What are learning styles?

Learning styles are the ways we prefer to learn things. Just as our personalities vary from person to person, so do our learning styles – they are in effect our characters as learners.

There are many different types of learning styles.  For example:

• sensory (learning through seeing, hearing or doing);
• cognitive (how you think and deal with information); and
• environmental (e.g. learning on your own or with others).

 

This interactive pictogram shows one set of learning styles.

How can learning styles help dyslexic people?

Learning styles provide a framework you can use to work out how you learn. Then you can choose approaches and strategies that suit you.  For example, if you learn better through pictures than words, you can choose approaches and strategies that will let you learn through pictures.

How can you work out your own learning styles?

I recommend the questionnaire that is no. 2 on this list as a starting point.

3 approaches / strategies I use to learn content by ear

My school Modern Studies teacher was wont to say ‘OK everyone, put your pens down now and listen. This is a really important point’.  Then he’d tell us something that he wanted us to grasp.  However, I couldn’t take it in by just listening – I had to write it down in order to keep focussed on it.  But even writing it down didn’t make it ‘go in’.

By contrast, to break up the lesson he would tell us stories that had nothing to do with Modern Studies. They have stuck in my mind, yet I never wrote a word of them down.

So although just listening didn’t work at all for Modern Studies, it worked a treat for stories.

Since then, I’ve discovered that taking visual notes while I listen helps me learn Modern Studies-type content (abstract and factual). I make my notes more visual by using visual recording techniques and spider diagrams (see no. 6 on this list).  I use this strategy for taking in the content of church sermons.

Doing something else at the same time as listening also helps me take in fictional audiobooks. In this case, though, the other activity needs to be something mindless, like washing up.  You could also try knitting or squeezing a stressball.

So to summarize, here are 3 approaches / strategies I use to learn content by ear:

• Just listening if the content is short stories e.g. a few sentences.
• Taking visual notes if the content is abstract and factual e.g. sermons.
• Doing something mindless if the content is long stories e.g. audiobooks.

Books that offer approaches and strategies

The following books suggest approaches and strategies suitable for each different learning style. They are all available to borrow from Dyslexia Scotland’s Resource Centre. You can also make up your own strategies and approaches.

• ‘Making Dyslexia Work for You’ by Goodwin and Thomson
• ‘Living with Dyslexia’ pages 56 – 57
• ‘The Dominance Factor’ by Carla Hannaford
• ‘Dyslexia and Learning Style – A Practitioner’s Handbook’ by Tilly Mortimore
• ‘The Dyslexic Advantage’ by B and F Eide chapters 8, 13, 18 and 23.

How about you?

• What sticks in your mind?
• Can you work out why?
• What strategies and approaches help you learn?

By an anonymous adult member of Dyslexia Scotland

Dyslexia, the Media and Tempered Gratitude

While it is no secret that dyslexia sometimes causes struggles for many people, it is also important to remember that some people believe that dyslexia gives them enviable traits and a competitive edge in the workplace. Luckily, thanks to the mainstream success of plenty of people with dyslexia – and their openness about living with dyslexia – the media is awash with people thriving with it.  In the opinion of some people, they succeed because they have dyslexia not in spite of having it.

The widespread and well-documented success of people like Jamie Oliver, Steven Spielberg and Richard Branson, who also happen to have dyslexia, does a great deal to illustrate the fact that while some people may find the learning difference a hinderance, many find it advantageous to their lives. Furthermore, the prevalence of those who have dyslexia in the public eye supplies people with plenty of role models, which can do wonders for self-esteem.  Perhaps this information can be viewed as nothing more than common sense, but at a time where everyone is keen to promote positivity about dyslexia we would all do well to remember that such positivity is not a luxury that all learning differences, on the same spectrum and otherwise, have.

Firstly, the positive media coverage that dyslexia regularly enjoys is more often than not simply not there for other learning differences. It is doubtless frustrating when people make false assumptions about dyslexia; e.g. it’s just a difficulty with reading and writing, but what would you rather – that someone at least attempts to understand something or has no clue what it even is?  If someone describes dyscalculia as the mathematical version of dyslexia, an understanding of the latter condition is at least assumed.  Granted, it may be a simplistic one, but it’s apparent nonetheless.  In that sense at least, it’s a privileged position to be in, because some people might not have heard of, for instance, dyscalculia or dyspraxia, whereas you can bet that most people understand what dyslexia is, even if it is in the most basic way.

The media unequivocally proves that people who have dyslexia can make a success of their lives. Whether they see it as a gift or a curse, the fact that, for example, Keira Knightly is dyslexic doesn’t in any way affect the success of her career.  The same is true for Will Smith, Anthony Hopkins and Orlando Bloom.  I bet that people with other learning differences, whether or not they are in the public eye, wish they were thought of similarly.

Having said this, just because I’ve stated that there are positives attributed to the fact that dyslexia is widely spoken about in a positive manner doesn’t mean it is all plain sailing for those who have it. I didn’t want to seem biased or ignorant by failing to mention that some people see it as a label used by the middle classes to justify academic under achievement; which is of course wrong and misinformed.  On a related note, while you would be forgiven for thinking that an identification of dyslexia automatically means access to specialist support, this is not always the case, for ever-dwindling resources mean they have to be prioritised.  People are sometimes told that while they have dyslexia, they are borderline and therefore are not entitled to extra support.

Just because some famous people have dyslexia doesn’t mean that struggles don’t occur for many and we have to take care not to minimise those as dyslexia becomes even more publicised; as it has most recently, following the news that Penny Lancaster has been assessed as being dyslexic at the age of 46. It might even be that some problems, such as the oversimplification of dyslexia, occur as a result of the media coverage that dyslexia receives; but that isn’t to say that it shouldn’t still continue.

It’s only as a result of information being in the public domain that myths can be dispelled, coping strategies can be shared, and truths can be discovered; these being just three things that make the media coverage dyslexia gets to be not only worthwhile and vital, but in the main, something that should be much appreciated.

Gemma Bryant, Resource Centre Volunteer

Three little known signs of dyslexia

When I was in primary school, my new teacher asked everyone in the class to tell him something they thought he should know about them. I remember that I wrote something along the lines of, “If I’m staring into space, don’t stop me – I’m thinking up stories or imagining.” That’s not very surprising for someone who went on to be an author, but I didn’t realise at the time that it was probably a sign of dyslexia, too. I wasn’t identified for many years after that, but a tendency to daydream or ‘zone out’ is more common for dyslexics. Often, we don’t even realise we’re doing it, and can completely lose track of time!

There are other things that can be signs of dyslexia that people wouldn’t normally think of. Most people know that dyslexia affects reading and writing, but there are signs that have nothing to do with the written word.

Take memory, for instance. If you’re clued up on dyslexia you probably know that it can affect the memory. However, a lot of people don’t realise that the effect isn’t necessarily negative. A poor short-term memory is pretty common for dyslexics, but so is an unusually good long-term memory. Dyslexics often have a worse-than-average ability to remember names – but a better-than-average recall of faces. If you struggle to remember what you had for lunch, but you can still remember your lines from your school play, it could be thanks to dyslexia.

Emotional sensitivity is another feature that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with dyslexia. To be fair, this is probably a result of the challenges of living with dyslexia. By the time children (or adults) get help, they have often dealt with a lot of frustration and disappointment caused by something they didn’t understand. This can make them more sensitive for the rest of their lives. Again, it’s not necessarily bad news. Being more sensitive can make you more responsive and empathetic to other people. And it’s handy for an author, too!

Not all dyslexics will identify with all, or any, of these aspects of dyslexia; it’s a broad spectrum, and it affects everyone differently. But next time you arrive late for an appointment because your mind slipped through a black hole into the past or the future, don’t beat yourself up – it might just be your dyslexia!

Karen Murdarasi, Guest Blogger

Dyslexic self-esteem

“Improving your self-esteem is probably the best thing anyone with dyslexia can do for themselves”.

I found this nugget of advice in the Dyslexia Association of Ireland’s booklet ‘Living with Dyslexia – Information for Adults with Dyslexia’. It’s prompted me to share with you:

1. The booklet’s definition of low self-esteem
2. 3 things that have helped me rebuild my self-esteem
3. Further information

The booklet’s definition of low self-esteem

“Low self-esteem means that the person does not value themselves as a human being deserving of respect and fulfilment”.

3 things that have helped me rebuild my self-esteem

1)    Giving myself credit

Once when I was speaking to another dyslexic adult, I told him that I’d failed a postgraduate course. He pointed out that although I’d failed it, I’d passed my undergraduate degree.  ‘You should give yourself credit for that’, he said ‘- it’s a huge achievement’.  This helped me because in my mind, my failure had superseded my success.

2)    Counselling

Until I was identified in mid-adulthood, my unaddressed dyslexia generated many problems in my functioning, e.g. relating to others, learning, and work. These problems led to negative experiences which eroded my self-esteem.

Being identified helped me understand the problems and start to address them. But I still had the negative experiences to deal with.  So I went to see a counsellor.  He told me that:

• I can’t undo my negative experiences; I can only learn to live with them. This stopped me wanting to set right what had gone wrong.
• Forgiving those who caused me grief would help me move on, whereas continuing to resent them would do me harm.
• I could use my negative experiences to my advantage, by finding ways to grow from them positively, for example by learning from them.

This helped me deal with my negative experiences.

3)    Adult learning

Another thing that damaged my self-esteem was repeatedly failing to achieve my potential in learning. So in order to improve my self-esteem, I needed to prove to myself that I could learn successfully.

I now know what adjustments I need in a learning context. Using that awareness, I’ve been able to learn successfully for the first time in my life, at adult learning classes provided by my local authority. That has let me see for myself that I can learn.  

 

Further information

‘Living with Dyslexia – Information for Adults with Dyslexia’

– A booklet by Anne Hughes, with contributions from Mary Ball, Rosie Bissett and Wyn McCormack

– Published 2009 by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland

– Available to download free from Dyslexia Association of Ireland’s website  or directly from the link below:

http://www.dyslexia.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Living-with-Dyslexia.pdf

– Available to borrow / consult from Dyslexia Scotland’s resource centre

– ISBN 978-0-9532427-4-0

Improving your self-esteem

·       Self-help

In addition to giving yourself credit, the booklet recommends the following. (These are all clearly explained on pages 87-91 of the booklet).

1. Don’t be your own worst critic
2. Don’t expect the worst
3. Don’t dwell on the past
4. Trust yourself
5. Be positive

Here are 2 other self-help resources:

Wellbeing Glasgow

NHS

·       Counselling

The NHS provides free counselling. Your counsellor might find this list helpful: Resources for counsellors on counselling dyslexic adults.

How about you?

1. Do you have low self-esteem?
2. What do you think has caused it?
3. What tips on self-esteem would you give yourself and others?

Please feel free to post a comment or use these questions for self-reflection.

Content in this blog post from the ‘Living with Dyslexia’ booklet detailed above is reproduced with kind permission of Dyslexia Association of Ireland.

By an anonymous adult member of Dyslexia Scotland

Faster than the speed of thought

How many different alternate realities or lives can I have played out in my mind before I decided to sit down and write this blog? The answer’s countless, that’s how my mind tends to function.

It can often be a daily grind or struggle to function in a world that doesn’t truly know how to compute my way of thinking. But with all that said, dyslexia isn’t a bad thing, it’s a good thing. Let me explain it this way – imagine being a hero, specifically The Flash from the DC comics universe.

When he runs everything in the world around him becomes slower and gets left behind.

At the age of 11 is when I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I’m sure many reading this post can identify. That moment where it feels as if a black hole formed right in front of you and pulled you in. School was difficult too, because you can feel alone and like nobody understands what you’re saying.

Is there hope?

Let me tell you, there is hope and you are not a failure or any of the negative words teachers of people have you used to describe you. I know from personal experience what it’s like to live via the negative words of lack of encouragement spoken into your life. Dyslexia isn’t a disease or a syndrome it’s a Super Power gifted especially to us and you can do the impossible and be the best you that’s possible.

What’s next?

If you feel like you need help and support then get in touch with Dyslexia Scotland and someone will be happy to chat with you or guide you, wherever you are in Scotland.

Encouragement from me to you

If you’re a creative person and dyslexic side-projects are a must and there is never an end to them. I created my own YouTube web series called Psalm Lab Go. Follow me on my adventures through life with dyslexia, Pokemon GO and I also do Tech reviews & music to encourage others just like you and me.

Visit youtube.com/psalmlab to tune in on Wednesday & Friday evening for new episodes.

Smart Hopewell, Guest Blogger

A new perspective on new year resolutions

The festive season is brilliant, isn’t it? Full of yummy festive food (one never seems to stop eating), the festive TV and movies that all have the same message (or are very depressing because they refuse to see the magic of Christmas), oh yes and all your family and friends.

This is all absolutely marvelous: but do you ever get in to the middle of that week between Christmas and New Year and completely lose track of which day it is?

Might I suggest you take some time out each day to explore how to become more yourself.

I am not suggesting a huge change right here and now. I am not suggesting that you become a completely different person in 2018. And most of all, I am not suggesting that this year you will keep all of your New Year’s resolutions.

However, how about trying the following:-

BOXING DAY (26th Dec.) = Figure out what you LOVE to do. Notice I haven’t said point out what you are good at nor have I asked you to acknowledge what everyone else says you should do with YOUR life. If you are having trouble with this, think of what you loved as a wee kid. Stuff that you had to be dragged away from. Wait, wait, stop that inner critic who is reminding you of authority figures (or role models) who told you your finished products were not good. Think of all ground-breakers :- they do not just churn out what everyone else thinks is good! Do they?

27th December = Sit down and start writing some lists, draw some mind maps or just get something concrete down on paper (or into some document(s), e.g. word-processing, publishing or any other type of software you are comfortable using). In my experience, allowing ideas just to go round and around in my head it just gets bigger and bigger and more and more difficult to put into practice.

28th December = Now you have some idea(s) about what you are dealing with, start doing some research (probably on the net). Google techniques, materials needed, practices required etc. If you are very interesting and have 2 or 3 or even more ideas, have a look into all possibilities. Top tip: don’t forget YouTube – lots of people upload lots of useful ‘how-to’ videos there.

29th December = I suggest it’s time to gather up any Christmas money and/or vouchers you received and if weather (and health) permit, head out to the sales. Or just get on the shopping websites. And see about buying the things you need to start/continue/re-start your chosen talent. Lets face it a bit of retail therapy never goes wrong.

30th December = Have a go. Try out all those lovely new things. Or try on any new sports gear you bought yesterday.

OK, OK if everything’s going just a bit too quickly: re-visit any or all of the above steps.

31st December = Make some special New Year’s resolutions. Instead of making resolutions to be someone else, to change yourself, to make yourself like celebs: make resolutions to be more yourself and to acknowledge what you love. Lets face it you will succeed if you resolve to be you: if you try to be someone else you are far, far more likely to fail.

1st January = If you are awake and have energy practice your resolution(s) and/or make plans about how you will. Enjoy this New Year where you will try to defeat self-destructive habits by developing your true self.

Doreen Kelly

Dyslexia Scotland member and volunteer

10 things I appreciate about the Scottish Book Trust

The Scottish Book Trust changes lives through reading and writing. It is a charity, part-funded by the Scottish Government.  It supports me enormously as a dyslexic booklover and writer.  Here are 10 things about the SBT that I’m particularly grateful for.  They are just a sample of what the SBT offers.  I hope you’ll find something that interests you, either here or on the SBT’s website.

1. Videos

The SBT has a wide range of videos, for example the Creative Writing Masterclass with Phil Earle and the Booktrailer masterclass.

2. Twitter feed

SBT’s twitter feed @scottishbktrust is very visual, with lots of images and video. I find it exciting, informative, and stimulating.

3. Opportunities for writers

The SBT compiles a list of opportunities for writers each month. This lets me find out about places I can submit my writing to. For example, in September’s list I found out about a poetry project, which I wrote a poem for.

4. E-Newsletter

I receive the list of opportunities in an e-Newsletter. The newsletter also includes advice and a prompt for the SBT’s monthly 50-word Fiction Competition.

5. Booklists

The SBT compiles its own booklists, for example this one.  I find these lists really helpful because they show the book covers and let me discover books to engage with. The lists are categorized by age (adult, teen, child); and type, including Scottish books.

6. Information on dyslexia

The SBT’s website has many interesting and useful articles on dyslexia.

7. Bookbug

Bookbug is an early years programme that aims to inspire a love of books and reading in every child across Scotland. As this introductory video explains, Bookbug achieves far more than that. The Bookbug programme has gift packs for babies, toddlers, 3-year-olds and Primary 1 pupils. It also has song / rhyme sessions for parents / carers and their pre-school children. There’s a Bookbug session in almost every library in Scotland. The Bookbug songs and rhymes are available here, in audio and video.

8. Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books in Scotland. This year it runs from 27 Nov. – 3 Dec. There are hundreds of live events across Scotland and also a virtual festival. I’ve enjoyed a wide range of events in previous years. For example, author talks, a self-management event, and a book launch.   These events have helped me to grow professionally and personally, for example by letting me make new contacts and by exposing me to new books. Community groups and organisations can host event(s) during Book Week Scotland. The SBT provides funding and promotional materials.

9. Public participation campaign

Each year the SBT sets a theme for Book Week Scotland. This year’s theme is Nourish. The SBT invites members of the public to write on that theme, about something from their own experience. The SBT publishes on its website all the writing people submit that meets the campaign’s criteria. It also chooses some of the submissions for an e-book that it publishes during Book Week Scotland.

10. Live Literature Programme

The SBT runs a programme called Live Literature that part-funds events and residencies. Community groups / schools choose an author / creator from the SBT’s directory and run their event / residency whenever they wish.

How about you?

Would you like to share your experience of the SBT e.g. what you like about it, how it helps you, and how you take part in its work? Please feel free to post a comment.

By an anonymous adult member of Dyslexia Scotland