Kindness and Literacy: Two Low-Cost Fixes for Scotland’s Neurodiverse Students

By Mark Stoddart
Vice President
Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy

Recently, I took part in the final two-hour research session with the University of St Andrews in Scotland—one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, established in 1413.

The focus of the research was the intersection of Dyslexia and Mental Health, a topic deeply personal to me. Joined by two leading professors, our panel contributed to a vital initiative tied to Dyslexia Scotland’s original survey with Glasgow University and conducted in connection with the Scottish Government’s Education Department. The goal of this collaborative push is clear: implement tangible changes across the Scottish educational landscape to better support dyslexic and neurodiverse individuals.

During the discussion, I put forward two core recommendations for St Andrews to present directly to the Scottish Parliament.

Is AI Truly Disability-Friendly? A Conversation We Can’t Ignore

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping our world at lightning speed—promising innovation, efficiency, and entirely new ways of living and working. Yet amid all the excitement, one essential question is too often overlooked: Is AI truly disability friendly?

As AI becomes woven into everyday life, persons with disabilities are experiencing both breakthroughs and barriers. Some tools open doors to communication, mobility, and independence. Others reinforce exclusion through biased algorithms, inaccessible interfaces, or design choices that ignore diverse needs.