This Dyslexia Awareness Month we are focusing on the urgent issue of the lack of extra time in exams for dyslexic students in Junior and Leaving Cert exams.  We are asking TDs and Senators to make a pledge of support for extra time. The introduction... The post Dyslexia Awareness Month 2024 appeared first on Dyslexia Ireland ..read more

Dyslexia Ireland is pleased that a high-profile documentary highlighting dyslexia was aired on RTÉ One in a prime-time slot last night. As the national charity advocating for dyslexic individuals, we are always keen to support any initiative that increases public awareness of dyslexia, a learning... The post Lost for Words Documentary appeared first on Dyslexia Ireland ..read more

A new, free online training course is now available as part of the Erasmus+ project “Sports Activities for People with Specific Learning Difficulties” (SASLED). This course offers 12 video lessons, along with guidelines and handouts, aimed at educators, teachers, trainers, and sports volunteers. The goal?... The post New Training on SLD & Sport appeared first on Dyslexia Ireland ..read more

We’re excited to share an exciting transformation for our organisation. After careful consideration, and with the approval of our members at last year’s AGM, and also from the Charities Regulator, we have officially changed our name to Dyslexia Ireland. Many of our supporters already refer to us this way, and we believe the new name is more modern and clear. We feel that Dyslexia Ireland better reflects our vision and mission. Founded in 1972, we work with and for people affected by dyslexia, by providing information, offering appropriate support services, engaging in advocacy and raising awar ..read more

Our petition calling for extra time in state exams was discussed at the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen on Thursday 16th May 2024. Representatives from the Department of Education and the State Examinations Commission (SEC) appeared before the Committee.  A recording of the session can be viewed along with a transcript of the discussion. In the session the State Examinations Commission CEO, Ms Andrea Feeney, stated that the SEC intend to undertake a formal review of the Reasonable Accommodations in State Examinations (RACE) scheme, and confirmed that the issue of Ext ..read more

On Monday 13th May 2024 there was an article in the Irish Independent and a feature on Newstalk’s ‘DriveTime’ programme regarding the lack of places in specialist schools for children with severe dyslexia. This media coverage highlighted Catherine McCauley school in Dublin that had received 161 eligible applications for just 52 places next school session (2024/25).   Dyslexia Ireland is very concerned about this critical lack of specialist support for those children who most need it.  And there is also a wider issue concerning the fact that such schools and classes are not equally sp ..read more

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland is very disappointed with the recommendations set out in the report published yesterday (7th February 2024) by the Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community. We are dismayed by the recommendations to abolish or drastically curtail access to the Exemption from Irish for children and young people who are dyslexic.  As a reasonable accommodation that is often transformative for dyslexic children and young people, it is perplexing that the committee have suggested this element of choice with regards to their educ ..read more

Ciarán Ó Rodaigh, is Deputy Principal at Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Dublin. When were you identified as dyslexic? I was identified as dyslexic last summer. I was always asking my wife to correct my spellings. I find it difficult to visualise how words are spelt. I have always struggled with my reading and writing and I have had the idea of possible dyslexia at the back of my mind. When reading with my son, Laoch, despite his Down syndrome, I noticed he had the same problems reading words as I do compared to my daughter, Féile. Also, my nephew had been recently diagnosed and his reading and s ..read more

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland is delighted to announce it will be hosting an online event on 30th January 2024 at 5pm to celebrate the achievements of Philippa McIntosh.   Philippa is a Transition Year student from Bandon Grammar School who recently won the Best Runner Up Individual Award at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.   Philippa is dyslexic and her fascinating research project investigated readability issues for dyslexic students with the Junior Cycle maths exam papers.   At the event on the 30th January Philippa will present her research findings an ..read more

The Adult Dyslexia Hub is live! Check out the range of useful resources and support for dyslexic adults. The platform has been developed to provide information and learning support for dyslexic adults. It aims to help build confidence, deepen understanding of dyslexia and provide guidance. The platform shares advice to promote understanding of dyslexia and information on dyslexia assessment. It has  advice on accessing accommodations in education and in the workplace. There are resources on structured literacy to support the development of reading and spelling. The platform also showcases ..read more