How dyslexia awareness can improve your communications

Every day, we craft emails, reports, campaigns, and presentations assuming our audiences will read and understand them in the same way we do, but the reality is very different. Around one in ten people has dyslexia, which is a neurological difference that affects how the brain processes written language. That means one in ten of the people you’re trying to reach may experience extra barriers when engaging with your messages.

For communicators, that’s not a small detail. It’s a reason to rethink how we write, design, and deliver information so that everyone can access and understand it.

Understanding Dyslexia

Dyslexia is not low intelligence or effort, and it’s not caused by poor teaching, laziness, or lack of motivation. It’s also not a vision problem, but rather, a difference in how the brain interprets symbols, words, and sounds. People with dyslexia may find it difficult to decode words or process written information at the same speed as others, but they’re often highly capable in other areas. 

In fact, many successful entrepreneurs, scientists, and leaders, from Richard Branson to Erin Brockovich, credit their dyslexia for helping them think differently. Yet, in the workplace, people with dyslexia can find themselves excluded or disadvantaged by communication that’s overly dense, complex, or inaccessible.

So, why does this matter for comms?

If one in ten people struggle with traditional written communication, that means your emails, intranet updates, policies, or presentations might not be reaching everyone as you intend. So if your goal is to inform, engage, or inspire action, you can almost guarantee that clarity isn’t optional. Meaning: your message needs to be clear enough for everyone, hence why designing with inclusivity in mind is critical. It’s also not about simplifying your message to the point of dumbing it down, but rather about removing unnecessary barriers so your meaning is clear, regardless of how your audience processes language.

When we communicate inclusively, we:

• make it easier for people with dyslexia to engage;

• support those reading in a second language;

• help people with limited time or focus absorb key points faster; and

• strengthen comprehension across the board.

What can we do to start being more inclusive?

Improving accessibility doesn’t require a full redesign or a big budget, in fact, it’s more about consistent, intentional choices that make information easier to digest.

Here are some simple ways to start:

1. Use plain language.
Avoid jargon, acronyms, and complex phrasing. Shorter sentences help your message flow more naturally and reduce cognitive load for readers.

2. Choose clear fonts.
Stick with sans serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana. They’re easier to read on screens and in print. Avoid italics and decorative typefaces.

3. Break up your text.
Large blocks of text are intimidating and hard to track. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and white space to create breathing room.

4. Support your words visually.
Diagrams, icons, or photos can make meaning clearer but make sure they add value, not clutter.

5. Offer content in multiple formats.
If possible, complement text with video or audio versions, or use infographics for key information. Some people absorb meaning better through sound or visuals than through words alone.

6. Test your communication.
Ask a few different people to review your message, ideally with different communication preferences or neurodiverse perspectives. If they find it clear, you’re on the right track.

The heart of inclusive communication is empathy. It’s about pausing to consider how others might experience the information you’re sharing which means thinking not just about what you’re communicating, but how and to whom.

For instance:

• Can your audience skim and still get the key message?

• Is your design readable under stress, fatigue, or distraction?

• Are your presentations relying too heavily on text-heavy slides?

Use your technology to help!

AI and digital tools are making it easier than ever to support inclusive communication. Text-to-speech software, accessibility checkers, and readability tools can help identify and remove barriers, but they’re not a substitute for human judgment.

As with all tools, the key is using them thoughtfully to enhance understanding, not automate empathy. As communicators, leaders, and colleagues, we have the power to make our comms accessible and when we simplify, clarify, and humanise our messages, we build trust, inclusion, and connection.