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What support is available for dyslexia in the military?

You’re in the right place if you’re currently serving and trying to work out what support you can actually access.

Dyslexia support in the UK military is structured and growing. You can access dyslexia assessments, workplace adjustments, peer networks, volunteer ambassadors and dedicated forums — across every service and rank.

Asking for support does not put a mark against your career.

Most support sits inside the Defence Dyslexia Network and through your chain of command and your service’s education or learning support teams (for example Army Education Centres in the Army). You don’t need a diagnosis to start asking for help.

The main support mechanisms

  • Defence Dyslexia Network — over 2,000 serving members across every rank, plus 250+ volunteer ambassadors across Army, Royal Navy and RAF.
  • Ambassadors — volunteers from across Defence who provide informal peer support, practical guidance, signposting and reassurance based on their own lived experience. They are not accredited specialists or professional advisors.
  • Service education and learning support teams — practical access point for assessment, study skills and assistive technology, with or without a diagnosis (for example Army Education Centres in the Army).
  • Active internal forum — a dyslexia-focused space inside Defence with daily posts on tips, tools and peer support.
  • Workplace adjustments — extra time on courses, assistive software, workplace needs assessments where appropriate.
  • Monthly virtual events and in-person sessions — open to anyone serving in Defence.

What this looks like in practice

The honest picture: support is available, but it’s not always handed to you — what you experience can depend on your role, unit and how local leaders apply it. The Defence Dyslexia Network is one of the most reliable ways in, and peer support from others who’ve been through the same courses is often the most useful first step.

For more on what to expect see what happens if dyslexia is identified during service or neurodiversity in the MOD.

Reassurance

You’re not on your own, and you don’t need to have it all figured out before asking. Support sits across formal services and informal peer networks — start wherever feels easiest.

Back to ‘Currently serving’ pathway

You don’t need every answer first — start by talking to one person who’s already used the support.

Still unsure what to do next?

The quickest way to get clarity is to speak to people who’ve been through it.