About Us
The Dyslexia Association, a registered charity, is a volunteer organization founded in 1990 by a group of teachers and parents concerned for their dyslexic children.
We aim to:
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Support dyslexics, parents and teachers
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Educate the wider community about this learning difference
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Train teachers in methods for teaching dyslexics.
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Work with the Ministry of Education towards placing a specially trained teacher
in every school.
What We Do
1. Teacher Training
The Association runs annual training courses in:
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Three week course in Specific Methods for Teaching Dyslexics
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Phonological awareness - NOW! Foundations
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Comprehension and Expressive Language - NOW! Mental Imagery
2. Human Resource Liaison
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The Association maintains a register of trained teachers.
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We place children and adult dyslexics with teachers for specialist tutoring.
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We run a bursary fund which gives financial support for specialist tutoring for qualifying families.
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We maintain a register of Educational Psychologists for referral for assessments.
3. Information Centre
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A library of books, audio books, and DVDs is available to members
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We publish a newsletter twice a year.
4. Keep current with developments in the field
The Association gathers information on current developments in the teaching and diagnosing of dyslexics from Dyslexia Action www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk , the British Dyslexia Association www.bdadyslexia.org.uk in the U.K., and the International Dyslexia Association in the U.S.A. www.interdys.org
Dyslexia International www.dyslexia-international.org
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Some successes
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To date - Over 1,200 teachers from public and private schools have been trained in the specific methods to teach people with this different learning ability
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1990 – Concessions granted to pupils with specific learning difficulties in the Common Entrance Examination (now Secondary Education Assessment SEA), through discussions between The Association and the Ministry of Education
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1995 – Reinstatement of withdrawn time concessions for dyslexic candidates in the CXC Examination (now CSEC) through intervention of The Association with The Caribbean Examination Council
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2001 – The opening of the Audio Book Library, made possible through funding from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and annual support by the UK Women’s Club
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2005 – Expansion of courses offered to include Phonological Awareness, and Comprehension and Expressive Language, led by Dr. T.W. Conway of the Morris Center, USA.
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Increase in public awareness through sponsored television time for screening of "Dyslexia: The Hidden Disability."
History
Soon after inception in 1990 the Association met with the Ministry of Education to discuss the Common Entrance examination and as a result of this all schools are now informed that they can apply for concessions for pupils with specific learning difficulties.
In an effort to increase "Public Awareness" sponsorship for television time was obtained for the film "Dyslexia: The Hidden Disability."
Since 1990 the Association has held annual training courses in methods for teaching dyslexics. In May 1995 the Caribbean Examination Council withdrew concessions of time for dyslexic candidates just one week before the CXC Examination. This concession is offered by all major examining boards. Because of intervention by the Association the Caribbean Examining Board agreed to reverse its ruling.
In 2005 courses in phonological awareness, and comprehension and expressive language were added. These programmes are led by Dr. T.W. Conway of the Morris Center, USA.
Over 1200 teachers have now been trained in the necessary methods to teach people with this different learning ability. The teachers are from Public and Private Schools all over Trinidad and Tobago.
In April 2001, the Association opened its Audio Book Library. This Library is available to everyone for a joining fee of $30 per annum.
The Bursary Fund
The Bursary Fund was set up to help students from under-privileged homes afford remedial lessons with tutors trained by the Dyslexia Association.
Students applying to the fund are referred to The Association by Educational Psychologists or are screened by Dyslexia Association trained teachers if they have not been assessed. The Fund also accepts applications from adults.
In each case, parents are required to make some financial contribution depending on their circumstances, and the teachers make a commitment by accepting a lower fee than they would normally expect. The fund makes up the shortfall, which is paid directly to the teacher.
The Bursary is granted for one year, with the proviso that the student must attend regularly. This can then be renewed for a second, or third, year.
The fund is governed by a separate committee to raise funds, vet applications, and oversee disbursements to the teachers. As all committee members work on a voluntary basis there are no administration costs, and all monies donated go directly to funding the lessons.
Accounts are audited by Brian Fletcher & Co.
“If it were not for the Dyslexia Association and Miss T___ I will not be in one of the brightest Form 3 classes (in my school). When I have test I don’t have to call on the teacher to read anything for me. I know how to read and understand.”
