This week marks Dyslexia Awareness Week, which is an opportune time to shed light on the ways in which spoken assessment methods can best support individuals with dyslexia to shine - both within the recruitment process and in an academic setting.

It is currently estimated that 1 in 10 individuals have dyslexia*, emphasising the crucial need to ensure that more is being done to support dyslexic individuals within various assessment processes.

In this blog post, we'll explore how spoken assessments can be a game-changer in supporting individuals with dyslexia to showcase their incredible potential.

Defining Dyslexia

To begin with, it’s first and foremost important to recognise what dyslexia is. Dyslexia is more than just a difficulty with reading and writing,  it is also a neurodevelopmental condition that shapes the way that individuals process information.

Whilst dyslexia can present challenges in traditional written assessments, it also brings forth a wealth of strengths, including creativity, problem-solving skills, and a unique perspective on the world.

How Can Spoken Assessments Make a Difference?

One transformative approach to levelling the playing field for dyslexic individuals can be the use of spoken assessments. Instead of relying solely on written evaluations, the implementation of spoken assessments can provide a more accurate representation of an individual's skills, personality, and talents.

Below are five reasons why spoken assessments can make the world of difference:

🖊 Reducing Written Language Barriers

By moving reliance away from written tasks alone, spoken assessments can help mitigate some of the impact of dyslexia-related challenges, allowing individuals to focus on their core competencies.

🧩 Highlighting Problem-Solving Ability

Through spoken assessments, individuals can articulate their problem-solving skills in real time, providing a firsthand glimpse into their analytical abilities.

💬 Showcasing Communication Skills

In addition to the above, assessments of this style also allow individuals to express ideas, thoughts, and solutions with clarity and confidence, whilst showcasing their personality.

⭐ Improving Access to Opportunities

By implementing spoken assessments, access can also be improved to a wider range of great opportunities.

🙌 Creating an Inclusive Environment

Finally, implementing spoken assessments fosters inclusivity by recognising diverse talents and helps work toward ensuring that no one is disadvantaged based on their neurodiversity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as we mark Dyslexia Awareness Week, it is key to recognise how the use of spoken assessments can support individuals with dyslexia to showcase their skills and qualities.

By recognising and embracing the strengths of dyslexic individuals, we can create a more inclusive and diverse landscape where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Spoken assessments are not just a tool, but also a bridge that unlocks the potential of individuals with dyslexia, supporting them to shine and contribute to a brighter, more diverse future, and we’re excited to see the world of assessment continue to develop to support more individuals.

How Shortlist.Me Can Help

Did you know that Shortlist.Me’s Assessment Hub is a great tool to support you in conducting your spoken assessments? Whether you're an academic striving to streamline spoken assessments at scale, an educator seeking a holistic and equitable applicant evaluation, or a placement team aiming to offer shortlisting services to local businesses – the 'Assessment Hub' is your key to assessment excellence.

Keen to learn more? Check out the Assessment Hub here: https://shortlistme.co.uk/assessment-hub

* The Dyslexia Association: https://www.dyslexia.uk.net/adults-with-dyslexia/#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20dyslexia,mind%20is%20'differently%20wired