Ten Top Organising Tips For Dyslexics
Dyslexics consist of around 8% of the population and are often overlooked. However, dyslexics are just as capable as others to organise their living space and office environment in order to make it more efficient for them.
The following tips have been compiled from various websites, with my own thoughts and additions added in. Remember these aren't the only ways to arrange your office- but they should give you some ideas about what might work for you!
1) Use a large flat surface.
Dyslexics often use the surface of the worktop to write on, because of the large amount of space available. However, this can lead to a cluttered work surface which can make it difficult to find anything! To remedy this a large flat surface is best- such as an old filing cabinet or even an empty book case. You might also consider using a piece of card or cardboard in your office to create a large working space.
2) Use dividers to help you organise your desk.
The dividers act as dividers between areas and make important information easier to find and more visible for you when you need it (i.e. when you're looking for stationery). Although, my husband used to use a part of the table and marked a line with permanent marker to create his own dividers. It might be worth considering using paper dividers if you can't find any suitable dividers for your work space.
3) Use post-it notes or word magnets.
If you're very visual then using post-it notes or word magnets to attract your attention is a good idea. You can stick them above your keyboard and on the top of your monitor, just make sure that it is in an area that's easy for you to see (i.e. somewhere where it will catch your eye).
4) Keep desk clutter to a minimum.
This is easier said than done! You might have a lot of paperwork or stationery but your working area should be kept as clear as possible- especially around your keyboard and monitor. This means that you won't need to go searching for things when you need them. Some people will use an in/out tray, others will use a desktop 'tray' file, and others might prefer to leave everything on the desk but store all of their documents in a small filing cabinet or box on the floor. It really depends on what kind of system works best for you as there isn't ONE answer!
5) Label your drawers/folders properly.
Labels can be very useful when it comes to organising your desk- especially if you have a lot of paperwork or stationery. You might have a drawer labelled "tax returns" containing all of your tax receipts, another labelled "payroll" containing all of your payslips, and a third titled "bank statements" for any monthly bank statements.
6) Use an in/out tray to help you organise important documents.
A centralised in/out tray is good for aiding you with the finding of important documents such as letters or important folders that contain things like contracts or agreements. It might be helpful to use an in/out tray file or an easy access 'tray' on your desk. Alternatively, you can use a small box on the floor- either on the bottom of your desk or in another corner of your office.
7) Classify pieces of information.
Dividing up paperwork into categories and then subcategories can help you to organise each area of paper that you receive and need to keep. For example, if you have a lot of paperwork relating to business dealings, then it might be worthwhile classifying these documents. A kind of brain dump will help you find what you're looking for when it comes to filing things away in the future! Some people use file folders for this purpose- others might prefer to use post-it notes with tabs attached to them.
8) Use a colour-coding system for important documents.
Similar to the above, using colour-coded tags can help you to organise your paperwork efficiently. For example, if you have a lot of paperwork relating to HR then you might use red tags for this area of work (and store these along with other documents that are related on the same subject- in the same filing cabinet or box). This is also a good way to create order in your office without cramming too many filing cabinets into an already full space!
9) Use a 'tray file'. These are very handy for storing things like brochures and leaflets that we might need to hand but not necessarily read every day. They're also good for storing things like advertising leaflets, products and packaging that you'd like to keep close by.
10) Use dividers to keep your paperwork.
Using dividers to organise your paperwork is a good way to stop things from looking too cluttered. This can be in the form of individual full-size files- either on their own or inside of a cabinet or filing tray. You might also find it useful to have a shelf above your desk which holds the labelled files neatly in place (either using magnets or hooks). These can be removed when you need them as opposed to putting paper in a drawer then taking it out again.
11) Use a stationery centre. A centralised collection of stationery and paperwork is useful for those who know exactly where everything is. However, this isn't the best idea for those of us who are used to looking for things that are kept in specific places (like me).
12) Keep all items within easy reach.
I've seen this tip used in offices where they have 'in/out' trays on wheels which can be wheeled around the office if you need to get something from another part of the room. These trays have also been used by people with dyslexia as they are large enough to hold a lot of paperwork and other items – and can be wheeled around the office. This could be a good idea for those who have trouble reaching things in drawers or filing cabinets.
13) Use hanging file rail systems.
If you're one of those people who feel like they need an electronic filing cabinet then it might be worthwhile using some type of filing system. There are many different options- so if you're interested then it might be worth heading down to your local office supply shop and seeing what they can offer to help you with your desk organisation needs! Note: if you're working from home then having a single folder which contains all paperwork that needs to go out is useful (and also keeps everything together as opposed to having multiple separate folders).
14) Use hanging files for your paperwork.
This method can be particularly useful for those of us who are used to a large amount of paperwork. Hanging files can be useful for those who rely on paperwork for their daily work and need to keep their files in the same place every time (as opposed to a system that has multiple filing cabinets in your office).
15) Use at least one smart filing cabinet in your office.
This is an option that I've seen some people use when they're working from home (or even other people's offices). If you're one of those people who like being able to find things quickly then this might be a good idea for you.
Conclusion:
This isn't an extensive list but it will hopefully give you a few ideas as to what you can try in your office space. There are many different ways to approach organising your paperwork, as well as many different ways in which people store and organise their work.