Access to Work ADHD Dyslexia and Low Vision

[MumonabikeE5]

I am looking for an OT who can advise me about an access to work claim. I have dyslexia and adhd, which I have managed in the work place since 2004. Mostly by doing things in a pretty disordered but effective way.

The scale of my work I create and team I manage has increased, and so last year I started using more computer based programmes, rather than being offline- as this is ultimately better for my employer, and I can see the benefits for the projects and team I’m responsible for. It has been a big stretch for me to adopt these processes, but one I have been embracing.

however at Easter I lost the central vision in one eye and was diagnosed with a eye condition that means that whilst treatment has returned a lot of the sight it has not completely returned and further losses are likely.
The RNIB can give me lots of advice about tech that can help, and advised me that I could do an access to work application. but my gut says that this isn’t going to be as simple as that.
my dyslexia and adhd already make the way I process information atypical, and I’ve noticed for example that enlarging the size of font or magnifying things doesn’t help, as they reduce the quantity of information I can see at one time, and I find I loose track of what I’m reading, my comprehension is reduced or I get distracted/rerouted.
I find that because I don’t know how to use spreadsheets and this organisational tool Notion that well, I am having to do much more concentrating than I can manage.
this makes me think that there might be other ways access to work support could be utilised.

when I was studying for my MA and BA(hons) I had DSA support worker to help me process and edit my dissertations and was entitled to software and 1to1 tutoring to learn photoshop etc as I am not capable of following a written manual, but once I have learn something I am more than capable of using it to a good/strong level.

I work for a lovely small firm, and my boss is accommodating, but I asking for help from my colleagues to do things which are my work makes me feel inept,

I’m hoping I can speak to someone who knows about adhd and accommodations that could help me with the admin side of my role, and has experience of dyslexia, short term memory impairment and low vision.
Before I make an application.

I'm not an OT. How do you get on with screenreader/ text to speech software? You could also try a bigger screen/multiple screens if you don't already. The Access to Work accessor should make personalised recommendations so I would just go ahead and apply, especially as it takes quite a few months to process an application.

The whole point of access to work it is tailored to you. Support workers who can assist you are exactly the type of support you can get.

I think I have misunderstood the application process, the RNIB said that I will need to write what assistance etc i wouls want in the form, so thought I should figure that out and don’t limit my request through lack of understanding of what’s possible. Given you can’t read the form until you fill it in I don’t know what the questions are.

Ah, I see what you are asking it’s what help is there rather than saying you want xyz.

I think phoning Access to Work
0800 121 7479 might be the best place to start. They may be able to direct you to an OT who can help.