Motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart has backed a drive to help Scottish farmers with dyslexia cope with red tape.
NFU Scotland is calling for cross-party support for the campaign to raise awareness of the problems. It is now recognised that at least 10% of the population is likely to be dyslexic, 4% of those being severely dyslexic.
However, in the farming community, this percentage could be far higher.
SRUC – Scotland’s Rural College – has confirmed that 25% of its agriculture students are dyslexic.
Former Formula 1 world champion Sir Jackie, President of Dyslexia Scotland praised the union for launching the campaign.
He said: “I am a severe dyslexic. The frustration that a dyslexic person can have by not being able to do things like fill in forms is something that people who do not understand learning disabilities, have difficulty in comprehending. This is particularly true when forms and official papers have to be handled.
“A large percentage of dyslexics are so embarrassed that they do not want to admit that they cannot read or write aswell as other folks, but the frustration that it causes and the disruption it can lead to, can be very serious; not only for the person involved, but also for society in general. Dyslexics can be very creative and very successful but far too many, who are not given help and assistance, can end up in very sad circumstances.”
In recent months, NFU Scotland has been working alongside a member with dyslexia who has experienced some difficulties in coping with the level of red tape and form-filling associated with the sector. This included problems completing some of the forms regularly issued by the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspection Directorate (SGRPID).
Work has been ongoing with Dyslexia Scotland, the Scottish Government and others and there is now better recognition that dyslexia can cause significant disadvantage for farmers and crofters in their dealings with SGRPID. NFU Scotland has written to Alasdair Allan, the minister for learning, science and Scotland’s languages, and has also raised the issue with Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead and Scottish parliamentary education and culture committee dyslexia cross-party group convener Margaret Mitchell.
Union president Nigel Miller said: “One of our main aims is to try and remove the stigma that many people with dyslexia feel about their condition. We recognise and are grateful for the time and attention that dyslexia has received by those in the Scottish Government and parliament.
“We believe that in order to ensure that farmers and crofters who have dyslexia are better supported, SGRPID must make stronger efforts to adhere to the key principles of the Equality Act and accommodate the needs of their dyslexic customers.”
He urged members, or their family members, with dyslexia to come forward in confidence and share their experiences of form filling and red tape with the union.