Employment Book draft by amanda kirby

FRONT COVER

Contents Introduction

For Jobseekers How to choose and plan a career Strengths, skills and interests Work experience and voluntary work Internships Additional skills and training Apprenticeships How to search for jobs Preparing Defining Finding Recruitment agencies Disability-specific searching Supported employment How to complete an application form The basics The form References Submitting How to write a Curriculum Vitae (CV) The basics CV help including templates and examples How to write a covering letter Why write a covering letter Further help with covering letters How to interview well Before your interview During your interview After your interview Disability-specific employment issues Introduction and definition Where to start Jobcentre Plus Employer issues Disclosure Disability-specific searching

Supported employment

For Employees Dressing for work Your work wardrobe Personal grooming Workplace etiquette and customs Communicating with different people at work Being organised at work Being organised for work Organising your workspace Managing your time at work Dealing with distractions in the workplace Good customer/client service

Independent Living Skills How to organise your life and manage your chores How to organise your time How to use lists and schedules to make the most of your time Tips for keeping track of your post Tips for keeping track of your possessions Some gadgets to help with organisation

How to manage your money Budgeting and finance Spending money Online banking

How to plan for shopping and cooking Recipes Useful equipment to assist with food preparation Meal planning Food shopping tips to save you time and money Technology to help with food shopping

How to travel with confidence Travelling by bus or train

Travelling by car

For Employers Specific Learning Difficulties and the workplace Introduction The law Disclosure How you can help as an employer General adaptations and approaches in the workplace Auditory adjustments Writing and recording adjustments Organisational and co-ordination adjustments Definitions and how Specific Learning Difficulties may present in the workplace Note Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Dyslexia Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Specific Language Impairments (SLI) Dyscalculia

Introduction This guide is a valuable resource for all adults. It is an ideal first stop for people making the transition into employment, for people with Specific Learning Difficulties who are in employment, and for employers who want a better understanding of what Specific Learning Difficulties are, how they manifest in the workplace and how they can best support an employee with Specific Learning Difficulties. Designed to be used as a pointer in the right direction, this guide is not exhaustive. It is designed to give you a template of issues that may be important to any adult in the world of work with signposting to further information should you want to know more on a given topic.

For Jobseekers How to choose and plan a career The career you choose should be the product of your interests and strengths. Strengths, skills and interests Make a list of your strengths and interests and think about what job would suit you. Ask other people what they think would suit you. Follow the link below to take a 'skills health check assessment'; the outcomes will include careers that might suit you and what qualifications you will need for the suggested careers. www.tinyurl.com/skillshealthcheck Look out for Careers Fairs in your area; they are a good way of seeing what opportunities are out there and people are on hand to give careers advice. The following link has a useful video on getting the most out of a Careers Fair: www.tinyurl.com/careerfairsadvice

Work experience and voluntary work Once you have an idea of what careers interest you, try and get some relevant work experience, shadowing experience or doing some voluntary work. Work experience and voluntary work are a great way to get a 'hands-on' feel for what a job involves. Don't be afraid to volunteer for or experience several different roles. All work experience and voluntary work is useful and can have a positive impact on your self-esteem and confidence. It will also demonstrate to potential employers that you have carefully considered your career.

There are different ways of getting work experience or voluntary work. One way is to contact an organisation you are interested in, for instance if you are interested in working in the media industry you could contact the BBC Human Resources department directly. Alternatively you could contact an organisation that will be able to offer advice on work experience and/or voluntary work and in some cases arrange a placement for you. For help with arranging work experience and voluntary work: www.disabilitytoolkits.ac.uk www.careers-scotland.org.uk www.gowales.co.uk www.do-it.org.uk www.tinyurl.com/direct-gov-volunteering www.voluntaryworker.co.uk/

Internships Internships/placements offer you the opportunity to train â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;on the jobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;; they can be both paid and voluntary. They can be useful in helping you decide whether a career/position is right for you whilst you gain useful skills and experience and get to know a sector of work. For more information and available internships visit: www.tinyurl.com/graduateplacements http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk www.tinyurl.com/summerdiversityinternships www.milkround.com Additional skills and training When you have found a career which offers you the opportunity to pursue interests and take advantage of your strengths it is important to consider what additional skills or qualifications you may require. Taking the 'skills health check assessment' at the link below will give you some information on what training you may need to do in order to pursue a given career. www.tinyurl.com/skillshealthcheck Alternatively you can get help and advice on what training or qualifications you may need for different roles from the organisations below: www.careerswales.com www.disabilitytoolkits.ac.uk www.careers-scotland.org.uk www.nextstep.org.uk www.monster.co.uk www.jobs.nhs.uk/advice/intro.html www.learndirect.co.uk Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a good option if you want to earn while you learn. They offer the opportunity to gain qualifications as well as experience in a given role (from the arts to engineering), which means that when you have your qualifications you will also have a wealth of experience which you will be able to apply to the job. For more information on apprenticeships visit: www.tinyurl.com/direct-gov-apprenticeships www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

How to search for jobs Searching for jobs is a skill in itself. Here are some tips to help.

Preparing Searching for jobs will require patience and focus. It is important not to get disheartened if you don’t immediately find jobs that ‘fit’ your requirements. You will need to check the websites regularly. Some websites have ‘job alert’ facilities which automatically send you an e-mail or text message when a job that fits your criteria is advertised. There is no ‘one-stop shop’ for jobs; you will need to use several different sources. Some useful resources might include: Your local newspaper (it will advertise jobs on the same day every week) The internet (at home, at your local library or community centre) Local council websites in your area JobCentre Plus Employment Advisors and Disability Employment Advisors are there to talk about what support is available Sector-specific jobsites (e.g. to work for a charity (http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk) or if you want to work in catering (www.caterer.com))

Defining You will need to have an idea of what kind of jobs you are looking for. Consider making a list of criteria you are looking for in a job, for example: Full- or part-time position? Location (how many miles from where you live), good transport links etc.? Are you looking for the job to be office-based, outdoors, or a mixture? E.g. if you are thinking of a job in catering would you prefer to be in the kitchen or be a waiter/waitress? Temporary or permanent? A stepping stone to something else? Having a good idea of what would or wouldn’t suit you is essential for a job search BUT it is important to be flexible, especially when jobs are hard to come by!

Finding When you find a job that you are interested in, take down the details (by hand, by saving to a computer or by printing) but don’t just stop at one! Create a shortlist of jobs you are interested in to look at in closer detail.

From your shortlist, choose which ones suit your skills and experience best and apply for them. Be realistic in terms of applying; don’t try and apply for too many at once.

Recruitment agencies There are organisations out there that will find you a job! Recruitment agencies will match you to their available jobs. Some recruitment agencies include: www.reed.co.uk www.bluearrow.co.uk www.office-angels.com www.pertemps.co.uk If you contact them they may be able to advise you whether they have services and jobs in your area. Other forms of recruitment agencies, e.g. temping agencies (which help you find temporary jobs) are also a useful resource. Temping can lead to permanent positions and offer a good opportunity for you to try different roles. Recruitment and temping agencies are a good option if you find the interview process particularly challenging. The agency themselves will conduct an informal interview and any relevant assessments rather than you having to attend several different interviews.

Disability-specific searching Some organisations who advertise jobs at Jobcentre Plus publicise that they have a positive attitude towards applications from disabled people by employing the ‘two ticks’ symbol. This does not mean that other organisations do not have a positive attitude! It simply means that the organisation is particularly keen to overcome any barriers a person with a disability may face during the application process. Look out for the ‘two ticks’ symbol when searching for jobs at Jobcentre Plus. Specifically disability-friendly jobs may be found on these websites: www.jobability.org www.tinyurl.com/direct-gov-disabled

Supported employment Supported Employment Agencies can help you if you are unemployed and have a disability or health condition and want to return to, or start work. They will support you in a job, offer you training and advice, as well as help you to find a suitable position. If you have a disability or a health condition and are struggling to find a job it may be worth using the services of a Supported Employment Agency.

The Disability Employment Advisor at your local Jobcentre Plus will be able to advise you of local agencies and refer you to them, for example: www.remploy.co.uk www.shaw-trust.org.uk

How to complete an application form The job youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found requires you to complete an application form. Here are some tips. The basics Look at the job advert; what does it ask you to do? For example, does it ask you to: Apply online? Request a paper form through the post? Complete an electronic copy of the form? When is the deadline? What will you need to complete the application form - for example, a computer with internet access, qualification certificates and/or your National Insurance number? Read the instructions for completion carefully. For example they may ask you to complete the form using CAPITAL letters or a black pen. They may ask you to ignore certain questions for the particular job you are applying for. If you have a paper form to complete -photocopy it to practise on and save the original form for your final draft.

The form You will need standard information for any application form you complete, including information on job history (where you may have worked before, what your role was etc.) and information about you (where you live, what school you went to etc.). You will need to tailor the section about you and your interests and experiences to the specific job you are applying for. Read and then have to hand the job description, person specification and any other information you have about the organisation when completing the form to ensure that you are selling yourself in a way that meets the criteria outlined for the role - answer each aspect of this. It is important to recognise that the skills you may already have from working in one position or from life experience may be transferable to the demands of the job you are applying for e.g. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a parent you may have transferable time management and organisation skills from getting your children ready for school on time. You may also have money management skills from managing your own finances. If you have travelled with others you may have experiences that demonstrate team working, planning and time management skills. For more detailed information on completing an application form visit: www.tinyurl.com/applicationadvice

www.tinyurl.com/applicationadvice2 References The application form will require you to nominate at least one referee to provide a reference for you. You will need to supply the names, addresses and occupations for any referees you are asked to provide - you may need both personal and professional references, for example from a teacher, someone you have done voluntary work with, family friend or employer. Always ask the person/s you plan to use as a referee whether they are willing to provide a reference for you before submitting your application.

Submitting Once you have completed your application form, read through it and ask someone else to read through it for you to make sure there are no spelling errors or general mistakes. If you have completed a paper form, photocopy the form for your records. If you have completed the form using a computer, save an electronic copy in a folder on your computer. Once submitted it is good practice to phone the number given on the job advert to check that they have received your application form.

How to write a Curriculum Vitae (CV) Your CV is your chance to sell yourself to potential employers. Here are some hints and tips to help. The basics There is no universally accepted format; however a CV should be: A well-presented document. A source of interesting, relevant information. A document that sells your skills. Honest and factual. A CV should be no more than two pages long. Personal contact details should be clearly presented for the reader to contact you e.g. e-mail address, phone number and home address. It is important to recognise that the skills you may already have from working in one position or from life experience may be transferable to the demands of the job you are applying for. For example, money management skills from managing your own finances or working in a bar may have given you experience of dealing with customers and having good communication skills, travelling independently may have developed your planning and organisational skills. The names and contact details of two referees should be provided at the end of your CV. Always ask the people you intend to use as referees if they are willing to provide you with a reference before submitting your CV.

CV help including templates and examples For more advice, examples and templates have a look at the following: www.tinyurl.com/monstercvadvice www.prospects.ac.uk/cv_content.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm www.tinyurl.com/direct-gov-cv

How to write a covering letter CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter unless indicated otherwise.

Why write a covering letter? Your covering letter is the FIRST THING a potential employer will look at and is therefore very important. It forms the basis for a potential employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first impressions of you! It will influence whether they want to find out more about you by reading your CV. A covering letter is your chance to market yourself to the organisation you are applying to and show how you meet the specific criteria outlined in the job description and person specification - it tells them why they should interview YOU. A covering letter should be no longer than one A4 page.

Further help with covering letters www.tinyurl.com/coveringletters http://www.prospects.ac.uk/covering_letters.htm http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/coveringletters.htm

How to interview well Here are some tips to help you prepare for and conduct yourself well during your interview.

Before your interview Try and learn as much as you can about the company before your interview. Put together a file with any relevant certificates, a copy of your CV and covering letter, the job description and person specification, any correspondence between you and the company and anything else they have asked you to bring to the interview (e.g. driver’s license or passport). Plan what you’re going to wear; you need to feel comfortable and look appropriate! If in doubt dress smartly (e.g. a standard interview outfit consists of black shoes, black trousers and a shirt/blouse). For more tips on how to plan what to wear visit: www.tinyurl.com/interviewappearance Read over the job description, person specification, your application or CV and covering letter and think about the types of questions they might ask you. You can also ask someone you know to ask you questions based on the information in your covering letter/CV/application form. Have a go at answering some of these questions and try these virtual interviews: www.tinyurl.com/interviewadvice www.tinyurl.com/jobinterviewquestions www.tinyurl.com/interviewgame www.careerswales.com/adults Think of some questions you may like to ask your interview panel, information you have gathered about the organisation and information in the job description may help. For advice on what to ask your interviewer visit: www.tinyurl.com/questionstoaskinterviewer Plan how you are going to get to your interview! Ensure you have enough money for the bus/train/parking etc. Leave yourself plenty of time to get there. It is a good idea to do a ‘practice run’ if the interview will be somewhere unfamiliar. On the day of your interview make sure you have breakfast and take a bottle of water with you. Taking sips will help if you are nervous. If you are not sure what tasks you may be asked to do in your interview, call/email the organisation (there will be contact details on the letter inviting you for an interview). You will be able to get a better idea of the interview format e.g. whether you will be asked to give a presentation, to do a task on the computer etc, and how long the interview is likely to be.

During Your Interview Listen carefully and try to answer questions clearly and with confidence.

Try not to fidget, especially if you are nervous. Put your hands on your lap, or hold on to the edge of the seat. If you need to, take in some notes to help you. Don’t be shy about your achievements, remember you are selling yourself! If you are asked a question and are not sure of the answer, pause and think about what they are asking. If you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to say so. Practice using the STAR strategy to answer questions: http://www.quintcareers.com/STAR_interviewing.html Ask the question/s you have prepared when the interviewer asks whether you have any questions. If you don’t have a question or if they have already answered your question tell them that they have already answered any questions you had. Ask when you will hear whether you were successful or not and ensure they have your correct contact details. Thank your interviewers for their time.

After Your Interview If you haven’t heard from the organisation in the period of time indicated, phone them to enquire whether or not you have been successful. Don’t worry if you are not successful! Think of an unsuccessful interview as a learning experience. If possible ask the organisation for feedback on how you could improve your interview skills.

Disability Specific Employment Issues Introduction and Definition Recognising that we all have individual strengths and difficulties in the workplace is essential, both at an individual level and at the level of the organisation. Equality and diversity in the workplace is receiving ever more attention. This attention is not only due to changes in legal obligations but also due to the recognition that a diverse workforce makes sense - employing the same types of people will lead to the same types of solutions being reached which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit with the fast changing world that we live in! The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA, 1995) defines a disabled person as: - Someone who has a physical or mental impairment or long term health condition that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) such as dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder (DCD, dyspraxia), dyscalculia, specific language impairments (SLIs), and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are considered a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA, 1995). Here are some hints and tips to help with navigating the world of work with specific reference to the help and support available for people with a disability.

Where to Start It is important to consider all of the additional sections in this guide as well as this section. That is, you should still look into what careers you may like by following the hints and tips in the earlier sections about voluntary work and shadowing experiences etc. However, be mindful of the constraints of your difficulties in terms of what roles will suit your individual profile of strengths and difficulties. After all, what may be perceived as a difficulty in one role may be seen as a strength in another. Approach your local Jobcentre Plus or a Supported Employment Agency. They will be able to help you put together a plan in terms of the best fit between your strengths and likes and suitable jobs/careers or training. You can also explore these options yourself and set yourself reachable goals by using the hints and tips in this guide.

Jobcentre Plus There is specialist support available for you at your local Jobcentre Plus in the form of Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs).

Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) are there to help you find suitable employment and to help you plan the most effective way for you to get into and keep a job. DEAs are a useful source of help and support and you need not consider yourself to be disabled to access this help according to legislation. The DEA may also: Refer you to a Supported Employment Agency (see below for further details). Tell you about the Access to Work scheme. www.tinyurl.com/accesstowork

Employer Issues You and the people close to you may be very aware of your strengths and difficulties and how these difficulties affect your daily living and functioning in the workplace. Though people’s understanding is on the up, employers may have little knowledge and understanding regarding the ways different Specific Learning Difficulties affect people in the workplace. It may not seem fair but you may need to explain to potential employers about your SpLD and how it affects you specifically. For example you may want to say something along the lines of: ‘Yes, I do have dyslexia but with text to speech software and using task lists there’s no problem and my difficulties have led to me developing good problem solving skills.’

Disclosure There are many different issues to be considered when contemplating when to disclose a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD). What you disclose, who you disclose to and when you disclose (if ever) will depend very much on your individual difficulties and circumstances. Think carefully about whether you feel there are adjustments that can be made to aid you in the position you are applying for. If your difficulties aren’t obvious and you are unsure whether you will need any adjustments to fulfil the role, you may want to wait until you know who within the organisation you should talk to about needing a workplace adjustment (e.g. someone in Human Resources, a colleague or your manager).

Disability Specific Searching Some organisations who advertise jobs at Jobcentre Plus advertise that they have a ‘positive attitude towards applications from disabled people by employing the ‘two tick’s’ symbol. This does not mean that other organisations do not have a positive attitude! It simply means that the organisation is particularly keen to overcome any barriers a person with a disability may face during the application process. Look out for the ‘two tick’s’ symbol when searching for jobs at Jobcentre Plus. Specifically disability friendly jobs may be found on these websites:

www.jobability.org www.tinyurl.com/direct-gov-disabled Supported Employment Supported Employment Agencies can help you if you are unemployed and have a disability or health condition and want to return to, or start work. They will support you in a job, offer you training and advice, as well as help you to find a suitable position. The government pays these Supported Employment organisations to help people get into employment and off benefits. If you have a disability or a health condition and are struggling to find a job it may be worth using the services of a Supported Employment Agency. The Disability Employment Advisor at your local Jobcentre Plus will be able to advise you of local agencies and refer you to them, for example: www.remploy.co.uk www.shaw-trust.org.uk

For Employees Dressing for Work How you present yourself at work is very important. How you present yourself often forms the basis for colleaguesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and associatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first impressions of you. How you look will also affect how confident you feel! Your Work Wardrobe It is a good idea to put together a work wardrobe. This simply means having an appropriate array of clothes set aside for work. Doing this should save you both money and time when getting ready for work. When you start a new job, ask your manager whether there are any rules about what to wear to work, sometimes referred to as a dress code. As a guide, have a look at what your colleagues are wearing. If your workplace requires that you wear a uniform, keep it all together in a designated space e.g. in the same drawer or section of a wardrobe. A good starting point is a pair of black, grey or navy trousers or skirt, a shirt or top with a collar and a pair of smart black shoes. Your clothes should be clean, stain and crease free. Your shoes should also be clean. It is also important that your clothes are comfortable, are not too tight or loose and are a suitable length and cut. For example both men and women should wear trousers that are the right length and shirts that fasten without difficulty and it is advisable that women wear knee length skirts, ensure that underwear is not visible and that tops are not displaying inappropriate amounts of skin. If you are unsure about lengths, cuts etc. shop assistants are quite often happy to help if you explain what you are looking for politely. For more advice on putting together a work wardrobe click on the links below: Women: www.tinyurl.com/workwardrobewomen Men: www.tinyurl.com/workwardrobemen

Personal Grooming It is extremely important to make sure you are clean and tidy for work. Your personal hygiene is something your employer and colleagues will be conscious of and they may make judgments based on how well you present yourself at work. Bad personal hygiene is generally not tolerated in society. You should consider the following before leaving for work: You should ensure you are clean, that you have had a bath or shower the night before or that morning. If you showered the night before you will still need to have a wash (including your face and personal areas) before work. Ensure that you wear deodorant, if you suffer from excessive sweating you should consider having some deodorant with you in work to freshen up with during the day. Make sure that you nails are short and clean. You should brush your teeth and use a mouthwash. Bad breath makes a bad impression! Brush/comb your hair, if you have long hair it is important to keep it out of your face in work, either use a hair band and/or hair clips or consider tying you hair back.

For further tips on grooming and personal hygiene visit: www.tinyurl.com/personalhygienetips

Workplace Etiquette and Customs Getting along with people appropriately in the workplace is essential to your wellbeing and success in work. There are unwritten rules about how to communicate with different parties in the workplace. Here are some hints and tips to help. Communicating with Different People at Work

Communicating with your boss/manager/HR department: Use formal language (e.g. Excuse me, when is the deadline for this piece of work?). There are accepted ways of behaving in certain situations for example when taking part in meetings, raise your hand slightly and/or make eye contact with the person leading the meeting before you speak. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interrupt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; wait for your boss/manager to finish speaking before you answer or ask your question. For further advice on communicating with your boss/manager: www.tinyurl.com/managercommunication For advice on working under different managers/bosses: www.tinyurl.com/multiplemanagers

Communicating with your colleagues: Use more informal language (e.g. When do we have to finish this piece of work by?) You can interrupt when there is a lull in the conversation. In discussion and when talking with colleagues, it is usually not a good idea for one person to dominate the conversation even if they are the ones who may have the answers. For advice on how to resolve conflict colleagues: www.tinyurl.com/colleagueconflict For advice on how to be a better colleague: www.tinyurl.com/beabettercolleague For advice on the unwritten rules of the workplace: www.tinyurl.com/unwrittenworkplacerules

Being Organised at Work Being organised at work is essential! As well as making you more efficient in work it will make your life much easier. Being Organised For Work Plan ahead and prepare for tomorrow the night before, for example: Make your lunch the night before: If you have food left over from a recent meal you could make them into a sandwich or just cook a little bit extra to have for lunch the next day. Use plastic containers and put them in the fridge over night. Lay your clothes out for work the night before. This will save you a lot of time in the morning! If you are going on a trip, put the papers/documents you may need together the night before, this gives you time to remember something else you may need to take. Consider what you are going to have to do, where you are going and go through it in your mind and/or write a schedule.

Organising Your Workspace Having a tidy, organised workspace is a priority at work. Below are some handy hints to help: Keep drawers tidy and store similar items together. For example, keep your stationary in one place like a pot or a drawer. Use labelled or colour-coded filing trays for different information (for example, use different trays to prioritise your workload). If you use tools for work, organise them in an appropriate way into different coloured boxes. You could also match tools to task by colour banding them (wrapping a piece of coloured tape around the handle of the tool). Colour code your files for different areas of work. If you work on a computer the same principles apply! Keep your work tidy by ensuring that you have folders for each task type or theme in which you can organise your files into. Keep your desktop tidy. Have a weekly sort out! Set aside time each week, such as on Friday afternoon for half an hour to have a tidy up of your notes and papers. Throw out anything you no longer need and file the things you need to keep. Keeping on top of this will make it much easier for you to be and stay organised at work.

Managing Your Time at Work Some jobs are naturally very structured and others are not. Whatever type of job you find yourself in, it is always possible to plan and schedule your time and priorities. Scheduling and planning are essential to managing your time at work. Below are some tips to help you manage your time at work: Allow additional time for items on your schedule, we all think things will take us less time than they actually do. Be realistic and build in extra time in your schedule for interruptions and delays in your work. Make and update your plans regularly. Make use of a monthly calendar, a weekly calendar, a day planner, electronic planners and to do lists/checklists. Develop a pattern if possible, where you do the same tasks at the same time each day/week. Keeping regular routines make tasks easier to remember. Create a timetable for the week so you have a reminder of the things you need to do and when. You can keep this in your drawer/locker at work or pin it up by your desk. Consider making a checklist and tick it off as you go. To create your own free online checklist, go to: www.checklist.com . Take advantage of technology. Though it may take time to understand how a new bit of technology works, once it is set up it could save you oodles of time! For example, you can use different technologies to: Remember meetings and appointments by entering them into your mobile phone calendar or your email calendar (e.g. Microsoft Outlook). Set an alarm on your phone or email calendar to remind you of what you need to do and when. Make to do lists for the day, for example at the start or end of each day make a plan of the jobs/tasks to be completed. Remember to prioritise your tasks, consider what you need to get finished and what can wait. If you are unsure where the priorities are in your work ask your manager/supervisor for guidance. Use â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;post-itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; notes and attach them in prominent places in order to prompt an action or job that needs to be completed that day. There are even post it notes that you can download and use on your computer or laptop, to find out more, go to: www.post-it.com.

Dealing with Distractions in the Workplace Some level of distractions in the workplace is unavoidable, these tips may help minimise the level of distraction you experience in the workplace: If your desk is in a busy area consider asking your manager if you can work in a quieter part of the office. Consider using earplugs or listening to music, check that this is ok with your manager first and be mindful of not putting up barriers to colleagues (appearing antisocial or unapproachable). Colleagues may interrupt you from time to time to make small talk about topics other than work. It is polite to have a short chat but if the conversation is continuing after a few minutes and you need to get back to your work you will need to excuse yourself politely from the chat. Below are some suggestions for polite ways to leave a chat to get back to work, don’t forget to smile and use a friendly tone of voice: “I’ve got a lot of work on right now, can we chat about this over lunch?” “Let’s talk about this after, I need to finish this piece of work off”

Good Customer/Client Service Most jobs will require some element of working with a customer or client. Good customer/client service benefits not only the customer but the company for which you work and your career. Working with customers/client is not always easy! Below are some general tips for delivering good customer/client service: Try to think like the customer, ask yourself how you would like to be treated and what information you might find useful. Approach all customers with a smile, even if you are feeling grumpy on the inside! A happy, approachable face can make all the difference to the quality of customer interaction, especially if the customer is dissatisfied. You may have heard the saying ‘the customer is always right’ – obviously this is not exactly true, it is referring to the attitude you should take when dealing with customers. For example, it may mean that you apologise for things that may not be your fault like if a customer has had to wait for your service. Apologising shows the customer that you understand where their complaint is coming from. If you feel you are unable to help the customer/client or feel that they are behaving aggressively it is ok to ask for help either from a colleague or your manager. Explain what you are going to do, for example ‘If you could bear with me just a minute whilst I ask a colleague/manager if they might be better able to help you’.

Independent Living Skills How to Organise Your Life and Manage Your Chores Being organised will help you keep on top of things and leave you with more time to enjoy yourself! It is important to recognise that when things get on top of you they can have a negative impact on your work, your homelife-worklife balance and your personal wellbeing. This section has some useful guides, hints and tips for helping you get and stay organised in day to day life. General tips for organising and managing your chores: Be realistic, set goals that are achievable and allow yourself plenty of time to accomplish set tasks. Try and have a routine, especially during the week. Keep things as simple as possible, embrace technology if you feel able but even paper and pen plans or lists can make a huge difference. How to Organise Your Time Plan ahead! Set aside 20-30 minutes at the end of every day to plan for the next day. There always seems to be more time in the evening than in the morning when every minute of sleep is precious! Lay out the clothes you want to wear the next day, including shoes etc. Make your lunch for the next day and keep it in the fridge. This will save you money and is likely to be healthier than picking something up on the go. Consider putting a post-it note on the front door to remind yourself not to leave without your lunch the next day! Pack your bag for work/activities the night before ensuring that you have your purse/wallet, phone and any important documents. Regularly clear your bag of any rubbish/junk that is likely to build up over time. Help with forward planning and managing your time: Wear a watch, preferably one with a digital screen and an alarm. Consider setting it 10 minutes ahead of time. Once you get into the habit of wearing a watch it should make keeping track of time a lot easier, if it has an alarm setting you may also be able to use it to remind you to do things, for example setting your alarm to go off in half an hour will remind you to go and remove the pizza you are cooking from the oven. Make the most of your mobile phone! Enter all your meetings (e.g. with the bank), appointments (e.g. with your doctor) and social events (e.g. going out for a meal for a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday) into the calendar function on it. Some phones will allow you to add an alarm function to different events which will help you remember. Always enter new events, appointments etc. into your calendar as soon as you know about them! This will prevent you from forgetting to enter it later when you will have lots of other things going on thus making sure it stays up-to-date!

Some phones will allow you to sync events from social networking sites such as facebook with your phone’s calendar and so will automatically update your calendar with your friends’ birthdays etc. If you need help with this approach someone at your mobile phone company either by phone or by going into the shop. Use a paper diary and calendar! If you would rather use pen and paper pick up a pocket sized diary/calendar that can fit in your bag or pocket. Try and take it everywhere with you so that you can enter new events into it as soon as possible. Get into using a notice board! Having a pin board or magnetic notice board on a wall in your house is really useful! You can pin up important notices and documents for easy access. For example, the local council’s rubbish collection specifications to help you remember what rubbish goes in what bag. How to Use Lists and Schedules to Make the Most of Your Time Using timetables or schedules can help you to make the most of your time, they can be especially useful for making sure you get all your tasks and chores done and ensuring a homelife-worklife balance. Timetables: Make a weekly timetable. Try to set aside the same time each week to sit down and make a timetable for the week, even though it feels like a chore it is well worth it! When writing up your timetable try and schedule the same time each week to do certain tasks like doing your food shopping every Sunday afternoon or your cleaning on a Wednesday evening so that they become routine, like a habit. Try to stick to a routine as much as possible, make adjustments if needed for instance if you are consistently not managing to keep to it. Lists: Make a ‘to do’ list – Make a list of the things you need to do (for example, clean your car, post a letter) and tick it off as you go. You could keep the list on the wall, write it in a notebook or you could pin it on a corkboard. To create your own free online checklist, go to www.checklist.com. Even a small notepad in your pocket is useful but you can also try using a pocket PC or your mobile phone to make your ‘to do’ lists. Once you have a ‘to do’ list for the week you can prioritise your tasks by making a ‘to do’ list for each day. You need to prioritise by considering which tasks need to get finished and which can wait. Use ‘post-it’ notes and attach them in prominent places in order to prompt an action or job that needs to be completed that day. There are even post it notes that you can download and use on your computer or laptop, to find out more, go to: www.post-it.com. Tips for Keeping Track of Your Post Keep two trays for post and deal with it as it comes in. Place all incoming mail in one tray and open it as it comes through, put junk in the bin. Junk mail always seems to grow if it is left lying around, if you don’t want it, throw it out! Put mail to be sent out in another tray. Use labelled or colour-coded filing trays for storing information to read, notes to be sorted and bills to be paid. Try to check and deal with them weekly at least.

Set up standing orders for key bills if you can for example your electricity and water bills so you can cut down on the amount of incoming bills, reducing the risk of you forgetting to pay a bill. Tips for Keeping Track of Your Possessions Get more than one key cut! It’s a good idea to have a spare key with a friend or hidden away somewhere safe. Don’t ever keep your keys close to anything with your address on it, like a key ring because it could lead to a break in. If you loose your keys often consider using a key ring with a buzzer that goes off when you whistle or shout to help you find lost keys. Some Gadgets to Help with Organisation: IGoogle is your own personalized google page, it allows you to add all of your favourite websites to one page instead of you opening several different web browsers at the same time. You can organise all of the websites you use most often in one place, including both those you need for work and your own favourite websites such as facebook or twitter. To find out more visit the link below: www.google.com/ig Corkboard screen saver: This is a free interactive screensaver that can act as a personal organizer. It allows you to add clocks, photos, calendars, sticky notes, to do lists, name plates, phone numbers and lots more! Visit www.mycorkboard.com/ to find out more. Phone Applications: There are many applications available on iphone and other android phones that can really help you with your organisational skills. Some of the most helpful one are listed below: Phone Applications: The iPhone keyboard: This accelerates your typing because it tracks what you type, then suggests words, corrects spelling and inserts punctuation for you. The trick is to just type away and trust the intelligence of the keyboard. Maps and compass (e.g. Googlemaps) Say you’re in an unfamiliar area and looking for a restaurant. With iphone, you can pinpoint your location on a map so you can figure out how to get there from where you are. And when you arrive, you can drip a pin to mark your location and share it with others via email or MMS. Phone Car Parking Application – this application makes sure that you never forget where you have parked. After you find a parking place, just tap “Park Me!” then when it’s time to head back, tap “Where Did I Park?” and follow the turn by turn directions back to your car. Android Phones The newest generation of mobile phones feature a brand new operating system that goes by the name Android. An android phone has lots of useful applications such as; To do lists: This application encourages and nags you into staying organised. Features tagging, reminders, remember-the-Milk sync, adding to calendar, and more!

Note pads: The notepad applications allow you to write anything you want e.g. shopping list, etc. Set a quick reminder for your note or share it to others by SMS or email. Voice reorder: This application is a handy voice recorder where the data are recorded to a SD card. File manager: The file manager allows you to browse your SD card, create directories, rename, move and delete files. It also acts as an extension to other applications to display “Open” and “Save” dialogues. Calculator: Handy calc is a powerful calculator with automatic suggestion and solving which makes it easier to learn and use.

How to Manage your Money Managing your money is essential. The consequences of getting behind on payments or getting into debt are far reaching and bad for your health and wellbeing. Budgeting and Finance You need to ensure that you have enough money coming in to cover the money you are paying out. Calculate how much your rent and bills are likely to cost you each month. For example you may have to pay bills for: Rent, gas, electricity, water, council tax, internet connection and a TV licence. What to do if you receive an unexpected bill: Don’t panic! Can you pay the bill? Do you have enough money to pay it?

If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough money to pay the bill talk to the company to see if you can come to an arrangement where you pay the bill over an extended period of time. Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are usually quite willing to help if you communicate with them as soon as you recognise you might be in some difficulty. For more help, advice and tips on managing your money visit the following websites: www.tinyurl.com/lloydsbudgeting www.tinyurl.com/budgetplannertool www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Budget-planning For more comprehensive guidance on managing your money download the workbooks found on the website below. They contain excellent information on all aspects of money management, the workbooks are designed for adults on the autism spectrum but they are useful for everyone! www.tinyurl.com/moneymanagementworkbooks Spending Money Once you know how much you need to spend each month on bills try to take this away from the total amount that you get paid each month so you can see how much money you have left to spend on things like food and entertainment. If you find yourself getting into debt try and think through what you may be spending your money on (e.g. buying clothes, going out to pubs and bars, going to a gym) and try to think about which things you might be able to cut back on so that you can save more money. Online Banking If you are familiar with using the internet then you may want to sort out your bills online. Lloyds TSB has made an online demonstration on how to bank online, including paying bills and transferring money. If you think you may like to look at this to gain a general idea of how online banking works then visit the link below: www.tinyurl.com/internetbankingdemo

How to Plan for Shopping and Cooking Being able to cook for yourself is a vital part of living independently and will benefit not only your health but also your bank balance! Here are some hints and tips to help. Recipes Keep things simple to begin with. Learn a few key dishes that can be made in one pot or in the microwave (to cut down on washing up!). It can be cost and time effective to make a big pot of something (e.g. a chili con carne) and freeze portions for another day. Visit www.bbcgoodfood.com for some useful recipes, this website allows you to type in the ingredients you already have and tells you what you can make with them. Visit www.visualrecipes.com for useful visual guides and instructions for a wide array of recipes.

Useful equipment to assist with food preparation There are many pieces of equipment that can make life easier in regards to cooking, especially if coordination is an issue for you. For example: Help with food preparation: Chopping boards that have a slip resistant base. Help with weighing and measuring: Scales with large digital display’s, tactile markings, and speech output. Help with peeling, mashing and grating: Table top peelers, handheld utensils with enhanced grip to aid peeling/grating etc. Help with cooking: Cooker adaptations, timers, food thermometers or microwaves with large display or speech output. Help with eating and drinking: Items with advanced grip, battery operated dispensers, protective clothing). For more ideas and details on where to buy these items visit www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk. Meal Planning Planning your meals will save you time and money. When planning a meal consider: What are you going to make? What are the ingredients you will need to make the dish? What cooking utensils are you going to need in order to prepare/cook your food? Approximately how long is it going to take to make the meal? For more ideas and help with meal planning and shopping visit: www.sainsburysdiets.co.uk/OurMealPlans/Home?utm_source=google&utm_mediu m=ppc – for diets.Alternative: www.tinyurl.com/sainsburysmealplanner www.shoppingplanner.co.uk/ www.tinyurl.com/nhs5aday

Food Shopping Tips to Save you Time and Money Being a savvy supermarket shopper is a life skill and will benefit your ability to cook for yourself and manage your money. Planning your meals for each week is essential to ensure you are eating healthily and not spending too much money! Ensure you have some cupboard and freezer staples (e.g. dried pasta etc for a quick meal). Make a shopping list of things you need every week but leave space to add extras. Photocopy your list so you have one for each week or keep the list on your phone as a reminder. Split packs of food and freeze portions – this can save you money (e.g. a packet of 4 chicken breasts – you can use one or two in a meal and freeze the rest for when you need them). Don’t go to the supermarket without a list! You will forget to buy essential items and will also risk being seduced by offers and packaging that is not cost effective!

Technology to Help with Food Shopping Think about doing your food shopping online. Many supermarkets do this and it may be easier than going by bus or on foot. It also minimises the risk of impulse buying. For a FREE comparison of supermarket prices to find the cheapest visit: www.mysupermarket.co.uk If you have an iphone you could use the ‘bar code reader application’ which allows you to add items to your ‘online’ basket when you’re on the go. For a guide on how to use this application visit: www.tesco.com/apps/iphone

How to Travel with Confidence Feeling confident in being able to get around for both work and social engagements is important. Consider your transport options. Some modes of travel may be better suited to different engagements and at different times of the day, e.g. travelling in the day versus travelling at night. Planning your journey is the key to successful travelling, whether you are going to meet friends for a bite to eat or commuting to and from work. Below are some hints and tips for getting around, whether by car, walking or using public transport. Travelling by Bus or Train The following websites should be able to help you plan your journey by train or bus:Trains: www.nationalrail.co.uk Buses: www.nationalexpress.com Enter the details of where you are travelling from and to in the appropriate boxes on these websites and you should be able to see a list of the possible train/bus times appropriate for your journey. Use www.maps.google.co.uk to see how far away you are from the bus or train station you need to get you to your destination. Alternatively, you can plan your entire journey in one easy step using www.transportdirect.com. Travelling by Car Calculate your journey distance and how long it is expected to take by using a website such as www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp, allow yourself a little extra time to account for traffic or diversions. You can print out directions/instructions which will take you to your desired location. It is a good idea to have a bit of loose change hidden somewhere in your car to pay for parking or toll bridges etc. If you are likely to be travelling to a lot of new destinations in an unfamiliar area it may be worth investing in a satellite navigation device for your car, these can be purchased from stores selling electrical goods amongst others.

For Employers Specific Learning Difficulties and the Workplace With the right support and understanding individuals with specific learning difficulties can make a valuable contribution to you as an employer. Specific learning difficulties can pose a challenge in the workplace as they are hidden disabilities and may present in different ways depending on the individual, the nature of the specific difficulties and the different demands and aspects of a job. People with specific learning difficulties may not consider themselves to have a disability and indeed some scholars argue that these difficulties in specific areas can lead to strengths in other areas. The ‘hidden’ nature of these difficulties can lead to issues concerning disclosure and the provision of adequate support. Given the high levels of specific learning difficulties in the population and the levels of overlap between different disorders it is advisable to approach every employee in terms of their individual strengths and difficulties as a mater of caution. For example, an individual may disclose that they have received a diagnosis of Dyslexia and therefore need support with reading, writing and note taking in the workplace. However this individual may also have difficulties with organising their workspace or prioritising their workload which may not necessarily be catered for by addressing their difficulties specifically associated with Dyslexia. By addressing the individual in terms of their strengths and difficulties as opposed to their diagnosis of Dyslexia you can ensure that they get the support they need to be a valuable contributor to your workplace. The Law Around 10% of the population have specific learning difficulties, it is important to be aware of how these difficulties present and what you can do to maximise the potential of your workforce and work towards compliance under the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK and the Disability legislation emerging in Ireland. The Disability Discrimination Act’s (DDA, 1995) description of a disabled person is ‘Someone who has a physical or mental impairment or long term health condition that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’ Thus a disability can include people with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD, dyspraxia) as well as all other developmental disorders and specific learning difficulties. Disclosure An employee may choose to disclose their difficulties to you as their employer. It is also within their rights not to disclose their disability. It has to be recognised that such a disclosure may have caused the employee a lot of anxiety, an understanding of this is important. As an employer, you have a responsibility to make reasonable adjustments if a disabled employee feels that they are at a disadvantage in the workplace in relation to an employee without a disability. For further advice and help on these issues contact:

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC): www.drc-gb.org www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm

How You Can Help as an Employer With the right support individuals with specific learning difficulties can make a valuable contribution to you as an employer. If an employee discloses a specific learning difficulty to you it is important to be understanding, the decision to disclose their disability to you may have caused them a lot of anxiety. Ask your employee how they feel their difficulties affect them in the workplace and where they feel they need some additional support, if any. Strategies to support an employee with a specific learning difficulty will vary depending on many factors. Most adjustments can be made without incurring any cost however if you find that an employee needs a level of support that may incur costs (e.g. computer software) then employers can apply for funding through the government’s Access to Work scheme. For more information visit: www.tinyurl.com/accesstowork General Adaptations and Approaches in the Workplace The following adaptations are simple and easy to implement. Not every individual will need all of the approaches listed below: Provide job application forms and other written materials in Arial, Comic Sans Serif – font size 12 +. Offer the option to complete application forms online as well as on paper, reducing the need for handwriting. You may also consider offering the option to complete forms over the phone. Make the rules of workplace or training setting clear from the outset –consider both implicit and explicit rules and check for understanding – these should include clothing for different settings, starting times, breaks, etiquette for tea and coffee making, toilet breaks, how to address different colleagues etc. Consider the workplace setting, a workspace area away from general office traffic, visual distractions such as clutter may be beneficial to the employee. Ensure there is appropriate seating and lighting. If a quiet work area is preferable; consider placing the individual’s desk in a corner of the room or using screens. Suggest the use of ear plugs or personal stereos to cut out peripheral sound. Consider allowing flexible working hours such as starting late to do focussed work in a quiet office. Allocate a mentor to assist a new employee where appropriate, until they are settled in. Also consider a mentor if the workplace changes in layout or in the type of work the employee is being asked to complete. Prioritise, sequence or list tasks that the employee needs to do, make ‘to-do’ list templates available to employees.

Be patient and allow extra time for answering questions. Do not ask an individual to read information aloud, present in front of peers or write on a white board without prior agreement. Allow alternative note taking such as flow charts, mind maps, charts, pictures and diagrams to clarify instead of just linear notes. Give out a timetable of expected work and events in advance and clearly mark deadlines. Provide appropriate computer support – see later... Make templates of letters and proformas in current usage available to employees. Auditory Adjustments Some individuals may find it harder to remember instructions when only told them verbally. The following may help if this is the case: Write instructions down – the individual may want to jeep a note book where requests can be written Provide written documentation before meetings and discussion groups. Provide a summary of salient points at the end of a training session or meeting – allow meetings to be taped. Make a list of key words or glossary, appropriate abbreviations, acronyms and subject specific vocabulary relating to the work settings available to the employee (e.g. for horticulture – hoe, divet, lawnmower etc.). Use pictures or symbols where appropriate. Consider creating a photo bank of key equipment, label where each item needs to be kept in the workplace. Provide written instructions on how to use office equipment – keep these handy by the piece of equipment Writing and Recording Adjustments Some individuals with specific co-ordination difficulties may find writing and recording difficult. The following may help if this is the case: Offer the use of a computer for recording information. Have notes photocopied for training sessions and avoid asking the individual to take notes in meetings. Encourage the use of email for communication rather than written notes or verbal instructions and ensure that forms to complete are offered on the computer as well as on paper. Allow the use of voice to text software such as Dragon Dictate or Via Voice. Suggest and allow the use of an angle board to work on to help with posture and position.

Organisational and Coordination Adjustments Some individuals may have difficulties with organisational skills and coordination. The following may help if this is the case: Try to set one task at a time to reduce the likelihood of confusion. Help the individual identify priorities for the day/week. Set realistic time limits for the individual to complete a task. They may need an external reminder such as an alarm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; encourage employees to use the calendar on their computer or on a mobile phone. Encourage and support the employee to organise their work into folders or colour code their work. They may also need support to organise their computer files into relevant folders. In order to learn a new task you may need to tell them, show them then ask them to do the task. Provide instructions in writing as well as verbally so the employee can refer back to them if needed. Tools with larger handles are often easier to manipulate and control. Tape may help to build up the handles on some tools.

Definitions and How Specific Learning Difficulties May Present in the Workplace Note: Individuals who have one condition may also have other conditions given that they often overlap with one another. Individuals may not have had a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;formalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diagnosis. Individuals may vary in the way they present, despite having the same diagnosis. Individuals with the above conditions have intellectual abilities that are in line with the general population. Symptoms of these conditions are often described by observations of how people behave. Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia in the UK, is a common disorder affecting motor co-ordination in 5-6% of children of which 70% continue to experience some level of associated difficulties in adulthood. This condition is formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation. DCD/Dyspraxia is distinct from other motor disorders such as cerebral palsy and stroke. The range of intellectual ability is in line with the general population. Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave: Co-ordination difficulties may affect everyday life skills. Individuals may present with difficulties writing, typing, learning to drive a car, riding a bike and self care tasks. In addition, individuals often have difficulties with organisation and planning skills. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) ADHD is a common disorder starting in childhood. Until recently it was believed that children outgrew ADHD in adolescence. However, it is now known that many of the symptoms continue into adulthood. The definitions of ADHD are based on high levels of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention which cause difficulties at home, in education, in work and social settings. People with ADHD may vary in how their symptoms present depending on the level of demand on them and characteristics of the environment they are working in (e.g. levels of noise etc). Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave: Impulsivity could be demonstrated by speaking and acting without thinking, interrupting others, difficulty waiting turn, being oblivious to danger and not learning from experience, lack of awareness of the context in which the person is behaving (e.g. needing to be quiet when others are being quiet). Hyperactivity is more obvious in childhood. In adults this may be observed as a difficulty sitting still, being restless and fidgety such as tapping feet or being over talkative. Inattention can result in an individual being easily distracted, having poor concentration, easily bored, difficulty organising, starting but finding it hard to finish tasks, starting a task and missing steps in the instructions. Dyslexia Dyslexia is a literacy and language difficulty. It is a life long condition and affects approximately 10% of the population. Individuals with Dyslexia have difficulties with reading and spelling and may also have difficulties with organisation and planning. Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave:

Literacy and language difficulties associated with Dyslexia may affect reading, note taking in meetings, writing and structuring documents, remembering instructions, copying notes, learning new vocabulary, remembering instructions, spelling and reading speed.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a spectrum of lifelong developmental disabilities that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. ASD includes Autism, Asperger Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. ASD affects around 1 in 100 people. The ‘spectrum’ element of the disorder means that while all people with ASDs share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways and to varying degrees. The three main areas of difficulty for all people on the Autistic Spectrum include difficulties with social interaction, social communication and social imagination. Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave: Many people with ASD, particularly those with Asperger Syndrome can appear very able yet face real difficulties in getting to appointments on their own, coping with a change to routine and performing well in interviews. People with ASD may also experience some form of sensory sensitivity or under-sensitivity, for example to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colour. Specific Language Impairments (SLI) SLIs affect an individual’s ability to learn and use language. The condition affects receptive and expressive language. Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave: Individuals with SLIs may have difficulties remembering sequences of instructions, taking down telephone numbers or instructions. They may appear anxious or angry if they do not understand what is being asked of them. They may be withdrawn and find it difficult taking turns in meetings. Dyscalculia Dyscalculia is a condition that affects an individual’s ability to understand and acquire mathematical skills. Individuals may also present with difficulties organising and planning. Symptoms are described by observations of how people behave: Individuals with Dyscalculia may present with difficulties managing money, telling the time and taking measurements. These difficulties may impact on an individual’s organisation and planning abilities.

Useful Contacts Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Association (DANDA) c/o VAC, 293-299 Kentish Town Road, London. NW5 2TJ Email: info@danda.org.uk Website: www.danda.org.uk The Dyspraxia Foundation 8 West Alley, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 1EG Helpline: 01462 454 986 (10am-1pm Mon-Fri) Admin: 01462 455 016 Fax: 01462 455 052 Email: dyspraxia@dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk Website: www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS) P O BOX 340, Edgware, Middlesex. HA8 9HL Phone: 020 8952 2800 Fax: 020 8952 2909 Email: info@addiss.co.uk Website: www.addiss.co.uk Adult Attention Deficit Disorder â&#x20AC;&#x201C; UK (AADD-UK) Email: aadd.org@googlemail.com Website: www.aadd.org.uk British Dyslexia Association Unit 8 Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell. RG12 7BW Email: helpline@bdadyslexia.org.uk Website: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk Telephone Number: 0845 2519005 Nextstep www.nextstep.org.uk Phone: 0800 100 900 British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) www.afse.org.uk

Careers Wales www.careerswales.com Disability Toolkits www.disabilitytoolkits.ac.uk Disability Rights Commission (DRC) www.equalityhumanrights.com