Reading can be difficult, especially for people with a specific learning disability, intellectual impairment, other cognitive impairment, people with limited education or people with English as a second language. This particular page of the Workplace Adjustment Tool refers to the cognitive functions involved in reading, rather than a person's ability to read aloud (speech production) or to see the text.
The ability to read is a necessary requirement in most workplaces across all industries. Examples of reading material relevant to the workplace include procedure manuals, operating instructions, research material, formal correspondence, road maps, computer documents and email.
It can be very stressful for employees who have difficulty reading written material. If this is not recognised or properly accommodated for, this can have ramifications in the workplace with regard to job performance and safety.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are a range of training options, services and aids which can assist and support people who may experience difficulty with reading in the workplace.
Training and skill development
Relevant training courses via a registered training organisation may assist with the development of reading skills. Part time study can often be undertaken outside of work hours, or study leave may also be possible. Further information on training and study options can be found at:
Alternatively, computer programs specifically designed to assist in reading and comprehension skill development may be suitable especially for people with a mild learning or intellectual disability. Many computer programs allow the learner to progress at their own pace and also provide immediate feedback, so that the learner does not continue to practice the wrong skills. Some computer programs help with learning basic sight word and phonics skills; others develop and enhance reading and comprehension skills at more advanced levels.
Aids
There are a number of reading aids and adaptive technology products available to assist with reading, either in hard copy or electronic format:
Services available
Easy English interpreters may be able to assist a person with understanding written material relevant for the workplace by breaking down complex information and explaining it in simple language, without the use of jargon or technical terms:
The Reading Writing Hotline is a national telephone literacy referral service for adults, which can assist people who may need assistance with reading by linking them into appropriate group, one on one training or distance training. The hotline number is 1300 6555 06 or you can find out more information about their services at (please note that the link below will open an external web site in a new page):
Funding options have been made available in the 2009 – 2010 budget by the Australian Government to assist with workplace literacy. Further information can be found at (please note that the link below will open an external web site in a new page):
(Access Centre 2007; The Reading Writing Hotline 2006)
References
Access Centre (no date specified), Computer-Assisted Instruction and Reading, Access Centre, Washington, viewed 17 July 2009, <http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/computeraided_reading.asp>.
The Reading Writing Hotline 2006, The Reading Writing Hotline, Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Sydney, viewed 17 July 2009, http://www.literacyline.edu.au/index.html