Students Who Learn Differently
If there is no support group in your area, you might want to start one. In order to find members, ask friends and school personnel to announce your plans to people who might be interested. You might place ads in the school and area newspapers. Perhaps even a local radio or TV station would help out.
The following organizations provide information about new and established groups (See Useful Addresses for contact information):
- The European Children in Crisis booklet, Children with Specific Learning Difficulties, is an excellent example of the information that might be contained in an area guide.
- ASChiLD (Association Supporting Children who Learn Differently) in Antwerp will supply (esc@fawco.org) a copy of their articles of agreement, a must to have if you are planning on becoming a legal entity. Check your host country for specific requirements. Even if you do not apply for legal status, articles of agreement, constitution, bylaws, or whatever you choose to call them, give your organization structure and status.
- You will want to create a brochure or flyer that you can leave with schools, relocations agencies and churches. Examples could be requested from established support groups (See Useful Addresses.)
- Some of the larger groups are able to put out a newsletter.
- Parents United in The Netherlands provides a description of a PTA-based support group.
- Dyspel in Luxembourg has a chart which indicates the types of activities performed by support groups.
Dyslexia International Tools and Technologies
A new non-profit organization was registered in Brussels in August 2000 under the name Dyslexia International Tools and Technologies (DITT). Below is an excerpt from a press release detailing their activities. Of special interest is the research award they are offering. Be sure to contact them for further information (see Useful Addresses).
Under the patronage of HRH Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, DITT volunteers work with leading experts to create and promote tools and technologies that enable dyslexic learners to succeed in a competitive world.
The Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee, made up of leading international experts including scientists, educationalists, group leaders and consultants, will be officially appointed at the first Annual General Meeting in May 2001. DITT aims to make learning tools widely available, initially throughout the countries of the European Union where an estimated 37 million suffer from specific learning difficulties or 'hidden handicaps.'
DITT has three immediate projects in hand:
- The MARCELLE NAPIER RESEARCH AWARD for 5.000 Euros ( BEF 200,000 or 3,000 Pounds), this time on Evaluation and testing in a multilingual environment - a model for Europe in honor of the European Year of Languages 2001
- The production of a new self-help CD Rom Roadmap to Success
- Distribution of Language Shock - Dyslexia across cultures. Multimedia Pack: Guide - BBC video - Web site www.ditt-online.org. With updates on DITT Web site, the PACK provides a unique insight into current provision for dyslexia across the E.U. Full versions are available in English, French and German. Guide texts are translated into Spanish, Dutch, Greek, Italian and Portuguese. E-books are planned and further printed copies, pending funding. The Pack is an information, communication and lobbying tool - serving teachers, parents and learners alike and providing scholarly articles and practical tips. It includes a directory of key relevant European organizations, and resources and contacts for each Member State provided by their Ministry of Education.
Leading linguist, Professor David Crystal of Reading University writes:
Language Shock is a first in so many ways - an impressive blend of theoretical background and practical advice, an impactful multimedia perspective on dyslexia, a thoughtful consideration of the bilingual context and an unprecedented resource guide to facilities throughout Europe. It is an important step forward in the growing concern to address dyslexic issues throughout Europe.
Lobbying: Some support groups keep check of pending legislation in their host country. Sometimes members are asked to or volunteer to testify before ministers or legislative committees when laws concerning education are up for discussion. Support groups also lobby schools and teachers in an attempt to bring about greater understanding and more facilities for the learning differently student.
Adult Education: The Association for Children & Adults with Learning Difficulties, (See Useful Addresses) a host-country based support group in Ireland, notes that they have been given a grant from the E.U. under the Horizon Program to run a course in information technology for adults with dyslexia who want to get into employment or become self-employed.
For the Students Themselves: Children learn well from each other, and support groups for children themselves could lead to an exchange of coping techniques and strategies.
The FAWCO Foundation Award for a Student with Special Challenges
Some of you might not be aware that the FAWCO Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Federation, offers an award for $2000 for a student, 14-20 years of age, with special challenges whose mother is a member of a FAWCO club. Those who are considered specially challenged for the purpose of this award include students who are autistic, deaf-blind, hearing impaired, mentally handicapped, multi-handicapped, orthopedically impaired, other health impaired, specific learning disabled, speech-language impaired, traumatic brain injured or visually impaired. If you would like more information regarding the requirements for application, visit the Foundation website at: http://www.fawcofoundation.org.
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Students Who Learn Differently
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