A Challenge for Organizations: Workplace Inclusion and Specific Learning Disorders: A Preliminary Study
Elisa De Carlo, Emanuela Ingusci, Paola Angelelli, Marika Iaia, Marco Turi, Francesca Vizzi, Fulvio Signore
In Italy, many people face significant difficulties in reading, writing, and maths, often even in adulthood. Most of them receive a diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) during childhood, while others live with the disorder without an official diagnosis. Although SLDs are often associated with the educational environment, their impact also extends to the workplace, highlighting the importance of safeguarding workers’ rights and promoting genuine inclusion. Despite regulatory progress, such as Decree-Law no. 25 of March 2022, the lack of awareness about the disorder and the absence of good organizational practices continue to hinder the integration of workers with SLDs. Building on these premises, this study explored the level of knowledge and competence within organizations regarding dyslexia and SLDs, through a preliminary survey conducted on 136 companies in a region of Southern Italy. The results highlight a widespread need for training and support tools to value diversity and improve organizational well-being.
Keywords
Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), Workplace inclusion, Well-being, The impact of SLDs in the workplace.
