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What to say when telling an employer about dyslexia

6 minute read · updated October 28, 2026

16 sources: 15 government or law, 1 charity or professional body

Keep it practical: say which tasks are harder, that this relates to dyslexia or a condition, and what change would help. The Job Accommodation Network suggests those three points, and the EEOC says plain English is enough, with no legal terms needed.[1][2] Telling an employer is voluntary in both the United States and the UK.[3][4]

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Whether to tell anyone is your decision. This page assumes you have decided to, or are thinking it through, and want words that are clear without oversharing. It is general information, not legal advice.

Deciding whether and when

JAN says it is generally up to the person with the disability to decide when to disclose, that there is generally no obligation to tell an employer until an accommodation is needed, and that there is no requirement to tell coworkers.[3] Acas, the UK workplace advice service, says nobody has to tell their employer they are disabled and that it is up to the person when they do.[4]

Views differ on whether telling is wise, and both sides have reasons. The NHS recommends that adults who work tell their employer about dyslexia so that changes such as screen readers or information on video can be made.[5] The BDA's guide for employers acknowledges that some people do not feel confident disclosing because they fear it will be misunderstood or affect their chances.[6]

What to include

Building a request

  1. Name the task, not a diagnosis. For example: reading long reports quickly, proofreading, taking notes in meetings, or filling in forms. JAN suggests telling the employer what you are having trouble doing.[1]
  2. Say it is related to a condition. You can name dyslexia or not; JAN suggests saying the problem is related to a disability, and US law does not require legal wording.[1][7]
  3. Suggest one to three changes. JAN lists reading-related ideas such as text-to-speech, screen reading software and written instructions, and the BDA lists material sent before meetings, recording meetings and dictation software.[8][6]
  4. Put it in writing if you can. Requests do not have to be written, but JAN says a written request documents it and gives you a paper trail.[2][3][1]
  5. Ask who will see it. In the US, disability information must be kept confidential, and Acas says UK employers should keep it confidential unless you agree otherwise.[3][4][9]

Sample wording

These are starting points to adapt, not scripts that guarantee a result. Short and specific usually works better than a long explanation of your history.

In a job application, the BDA encourages employers to contact candidates to ask whether they need adjustments for selection tests and interviews, and suggests options such as a reader or screen reading software unless the test is assessing reading needed for the job.[6] You can ask in the same practical terms: which part of the process, and what would help.

What your employer may ask next

A US employer who cannot see the disability or the need for a change is allowed to request reasonable paperwork on it and on your limitations, and then the two of you work through options together.[2] The employer can choose between effective options, so be ready to say why your suggestion works.[2]

In the UK, Acas says an employer may get medical advice to help decide what adjustments are needed, and it publishes a template letter for requesting adjustments for neurodivergence.[10][11] In Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Commission notes that an employee cannot insist on the ideal option if another one meets their needs.[12]

Quick answers

Do I have to tell my employer I have dyslexia?

No. JAN says there is generally no obligation to disclose until you need an accommodation, and Acas says nobody has to tell their employer they are disabled.[3][4]

Should I tell my employer in writing?

It is not required, but JAN says a written request documents what you asked for and when.[2][3]

Will my coworkers be told?

There is no requirement to tell coworkers, and US employers must keep disability information confidential.[3] Acas says UK employers should keep it confidential unless you agree it can be shared.[4]

Can I ask for adjustments without a diagnosis?

Yes. US requests can be made in plain English, and Acas says UK employers should offer support whether or not there is a diagnosis.[2][11]

Review status

Source-checked, not expert-reviewed

Drafted with AI assistance. Each factual claim was checked against the source it links to on 2026-10-28. No clinician, psychologist or dyslexia specialist has reviewed this page. See the claims register.

Sources

  1. [1]Employees' practical guide to requesting and negotiating reasonable accommodations under the ADA. Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  2. [2]Enforcement guidance on reasonable accommodation and undue hardship under the ADA. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  3. [3]Disability disclosure. Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  4. [4]Talking about disability (Supporting disabled people at work). Acas, 2024. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  5. [5]Dyslexia in adults. NHS (England). Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  6. [6]Dyslexia friendly workplaces: a guide for employers. British Dyslexia Association, 2023. Accessed 2026-10-28. Charity or professional body
  7. [7]The interactive process. Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  8. [8]Accommodation and compliance: learning disability. Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  9. [9]Talking about neurodiversity at work. Acas, 2025. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  10. [10]Making and handling requests for reasonable adjustments. Acas, 2025. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  11. [11]Reasonable adjustments for neurodiversity. Acas, 2025. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  12. [12]Duty to accommodate. Canadian Human Rights Commission. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  13. [13]About JAN. Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  14. [14]Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition. GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  15. [15]Access to Work: eligibility. GOV.UK. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law
  16. [16]JobAccess home page (Internet Archive snapshot of 2026-10-16). JobAccess, Australian Government Department of Social Services. Accessed 2026-10-28. Government or law

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This educational questionnaire summarizes what you tell us about reading and writing. It does not screen for, diagnose, or rule out dyslexia or any other condition.