‘Actions speak louder than words’

Dyslexia Action Week, 15th-21st June, 2009.

This year’s highly anticipated Dyslexia Action Week (15th-21st June) is focused on activities to raise awareness and champion change for dyslexic individuals. Conservative estimates are that one in 10 NZers has dyslexia, including 70,000 school children.

The theme for the Week is ‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’ – and is about encouraging all schools, teachers, support staff, parents and dyslexic individuals to act decisively to make a difference this year.

For teachers, a number of Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand (DFNZ) initiatives have been developed to make action as easy as possible. First up, DFNZ has brought international dyslexia expert Neil Mackay to NZ to provide practical guidance on dealing with dyslexia in the classroom.

Mr Mackay’s half-day workshops, being held throughout the country during Action Week, are specifically designed to give schools a head-start on the type of measurable progress that will be required under the government’s Crusade for Literacy and Numeracy.

Adopting the advice offered by Mr Mackay – author of the highly acclaimed resource Removing Dyslexia as a Barrier to Achievement – will have immediate benefits, not just for dyslexic learners but for all students.

For more information, go to www.dyslexiafoundation.org.nz

DFNZ’s unique, and free 4D | For Dyslexia programme for schools is also geared to equipping teachers with the tools for change, outlining simple ways to improve the classroom learn­ing environment.

Plans are also well underway for further revolutionary 4D initiatives, from a Virtual School which de­mon­strates and shares best practice through to a world-leading remedial spelling programme, and a teachers’ workshop DVD to share latest international thinking.

Through this, it is envisaged 4D will be transformed into the most comprehensive programme ever undertaken to address dyslexia in NZ schools.

For more on 4D, go to www.4d.org.nz