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BDA Launches 'Spot your potential - Online Dyslexia Screener'.
Click Here for press release.
BDA Launches the BDA Learning Suite
Click Here for more information.
BDA Launches new dedicated helpline for Schools. Click Here
Joint Response from Dyslexia Organisations on DCSF Announcement: BDA in conjunction with: Dyslexia Action, PATOSS and Xtraordinary People Click Here
DCSF Review into dyslexia education. Click Here
At the AGM on 17 November 2007 the following resolution on early identification was passed:
Early Identification Resolution
The following definition of dyslexia was also agreed at the AGM on 17 November 2007:
The BDA Definition of Dyslexia
The No To Failure Interim Report is now available please Click Here
No to Failure (NTF)is an initiative led by Xtraordinary People.
NTF will work with Children’s Services and schools to troubleshoot and trailblaze examples of good practice for children with SpLD.
The SEN bill proposed by Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, whose son has severe dyslexia would require the government to collect information with the aim of improving the "well being" of children with SEN, who are often misdiagnosed by teachers.
She said the lack of information on children with SEN, ranging from autism to dyslexia, hindered provision for them.
The bill will now go to committee for further consideration. For more information click here.
BDA has a fresh new look.
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) is starting the New Year with a fresh, rebrand to take the Association forward into 2008. Click here for the full press release.
BDA Launches Northern Ireland Helpline
Formula 1 Legend, Sir Jackie Stewart Gives an interview on Rhodders FM where he talks about F1 racing, clay pigeon shooting and dyslexia. To hear the show the show Click here
Researchers at Cambridge Assessment presented findings of research regarding dyslexia and GCSE examination questions at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, 2007. For brief details Click Here. Further information can be obtained by contacting lead author, Victoria Crisp at crisp.v@cambridgeassessment.org.uk
Dyslexia in the UN Decade of Literacy – your collaboration please
British Dyslexia Association
The British Dyslexia Association announce the 'No to Failure' project.
The project will demonstrate the link between children failing and dyslexia clearly defining the level of training and expertise teaching staff should have to support dyslexic learners. For more information Click here.
Dyslexia Action and British Dyslexia Association (BDA) response to claims that dyslexia does not exist.
29 May 2007
Dyslexia Action and British Dyslexia Association (BDA) strongly dispute claims that dyslexia does not exist.
To the 6 million people dyslexia affects in the UK, it is very real. Dyslexia is not the same as just having a reading difficulty. It is a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process in one or more of reading, spelling and writing.
Dyslexia is a complex condition which affects each person differently and it is irrespective of intelligence, race or social background. The severity and different difficulties any one dyslexic person may present can vary. It is for this reason that definitions of dyslexia are not always consistent.
It is life-long, but the affects can be minimised by targeted literacy intervention, technological support and adaptations to ways of working and learning e.g. multi-sensory learning.
For those who have been formally recognised as dyslexic through an assessment with an educational psychologist or specially qualified teacher, and have found to have difficulties as the result of their dyslexia, it is imperative that these students be allowed any concessions recommended. Otherwise it is the dyslexic student who is at a disadvantage. This is outlined under the Disability Discrimination Act. It is damaging to the future success of many dyslexic students and undermines the achievements of those who have been successful within academia to suggest that they should not be entitled to support with their exams.
Once again dyslexia seems to be making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It is frustrating that the focus should be on whether dyslexia exists or not and claims that it does not is very upsetting to the 1 in 10 people that it affects. The question should be what can be done to help people with dyslexia and those with literacy difficulties?
Both Dyslexia Action and BDA agree that the education system should look to identify and support all children at risk of reading failure. However, the critical difference between a child who has dyslexia and a child who simply is struggling to read is the way in which their difficulties are addressed. It is important to have recognition of a dyslexia problem and to ensure that any such intervention methods are appropriate to meet the needs of that individual.
For information about Dyslexia Action, click here
Dyslexia Action and the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) respond to The Mail on Sunday’s article dated 29 April 2007
The Mail on Sunday’s article: “Dyslexic sues bank - because he can't read his statements”, outlined the case of Mr Robert Neil, a dyslexic man, who is suing his bank for not providing information about his account in a more accessible format. The article made the following statement: “If Mr Neil's actions succeed, it could force banks and businesses to review dramatically the way they deal with customers with any mental impairment.”
Dyslexia Action and the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) support the efforts of Robert Neil and The Mail on Sunday, to draw attention to the problems that some people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, can have with printed matter. We also call on businesses to meet their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, which places responsibility on employers to enable access to premises and services by all staff and customers.
We would also like to clarify that under the DDA, dyslexia is listed as a mental impairment - as distinct from a sensory or physical impairment. We don't like this term and its implications, but this is the term used in the legislation.
Dyslexia does not affect an individual’s intelligence nor is it related to IQ, race or social background. Dyslexia is a ‘specific learning difficulty’ (SpLD) experienced to some extent by around 10% of the population.
Dyslexia is life-long, but its effects can be minimised by targeted literacy intervention, technological support and adaptations to ways of working and learning. With the right support dyslexia need not pose a barrier to success in education and employment.
Dyslexia Action offers Workplace Consultancy to help employers and their staff with all the implications of dyslexia in the workplace. The BDA also offers bespoke training for employers.
We would urge people looking for more information visit our websites for full and accurate advice - Go to Dyslexia Action’s website or to BDA’s website .
Westminster e-Forum seminar
On 24 April, the BDA was invited to send a dyslexic pupil to a Westminster e-Forum seminar: UK Kids Online - young people, media literacy and the digital divide. Rhodri Buttrick, a 16 year old was unable to attend, so he made a video about himself and his use of assitive technology.
Click here to play the video.
Rhodri Buttrick is 16 and studying for nine GCSEs at Sibford School, near Banbury, where he intends to stay for his A Levels. He has had a Statement of Special Educational Needs since he was 9, for complex specific learning difficulties (dyslexia/dyspraxia). He attended East Court, a specialist dyslexic school, in Ramsgate for 5 years. Rhodri cannot write and has been using VRT technologies since he was 10.
Support from the British Dyslexia Association was key in getting the right help. Rhodri’s interests include judo, drama and film-making, He also runs an internet radio station, Rhodders FM and presents for hospital radio.
People with dyslexia are not stupid
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) heard that on Thursday 26 April, journalist Julie Burchill on Radio 4’s Today programme, said “dyslexic” is just another word for stupid.
Unfortunately this is a common myth held by many people when it comes to their understanding of dyslexia. Dyslexic people are not stupid. One in ten people have dyslexia. It occurs irrespective of intelligence or socioeconomic background.
There is a strong link between dyslexia and entrepreneurship, which is no surprise when you realise that Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver and Lord Rogers amongst many others, are all dyslexic.
Dyslexia should not hold you back. Judi Stewart, Chief Executive of the BDA is testament to this.
We have already received a number of phonecalls from the public who are irate about what they heard this morning. It was a very inappropriate comment to make and the BDA fight hard to dispel these myths.
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Page updated 6 November 2008
