Dyslexia, Disability Simulation, & Media Coverage

It’s not often I notice dyslexia trending on social media, so when I saw it this morning I was intrigued. I was disappointed to learn dyslexia was trending and getting all kinds of press because of a new simulation that uses a computer code to continually scramble letters within the text. I’ll be honest; I got my hopes up and thought this might actually be a story that mattered – maybe a story about building a more inclusive curriculum or supporting invisible disabilities in the work place. Needless to say, dyslexia wasn’t trending for either one of those reasons.  It turns out it was trending because it seems folks cannot get enough of disability simulations. The news that a coder had created an experience to mimic how a friend described dyslexia, was enough to really excite a lot of people. But there are so many aspects to this code, disability simulation, media coverage, and the public response to these types of things that are problematic. Below are a few of my quick (and messy) thoughts on why this bothers me... 

First, let me start with the obvious, there is nothing new about jumbling up words so non-dyslexic folks can experience what it’s like for dyslexic folks when they read. I’ve lost count of how many times this has been done and framed as some innovate insight into the dyslexic mind. This may not be something a coder has done before, but even still, why exactly is this newsworthy now?

Second, the lived experience of disability varies. Each person will have a different experience and this experience can and will change over time. There is no one standard set of experiences that illustrate what it’s like to read with learning disabilities or dyslexia.  Also learning disability and dyslexia are more than simply jumbled words for readers. This actually matters quite a bit because covering dyslexia in this way reinforces stereotypes about dyslexia and in doing so you leave little room for the wide range of experiences and individualized accommodations.

Third, by shifting the discussion to “what the world looks like to them” you also end up framing disability related barriers as inevitable. If this is how dyslexic folks see words, what can really be done about it besides feel sorry for us? It turns out quite a bit. There is a growing and endless list of things that can be done to make things more accessible for dyslexic folks. Dyslexic folks don’t struggle in school and work because they are incapable of learning and working –they struggle because they are faced with countless (removable & preventable) barriers. If you really want to know what it’s like to face disability related barriers listen to dyslexic folks, respect their individual needs, and stop questioning their need for accommodation.

Fourth this kind of simulation ignores the complexity of the brain and a whole body of research, literature, and self-advocacy that works to highlight the value inherent in the diversity of our brains. There are real benefits reflected in this diversity. Yet these kinds of simulations completely ignore this.

There is a growing body of work that problematizes these kinds of disability simulations, for a number of reasons, including those I’ve outlined above. What is needed now is for individuals and the media to start giving space for coverage around dyslexia (and other disabilities) that is reflective of the very real systemic and attitudinal barriers that prevent dyslexic folks from accessing the same opportunities as their peers.