HOT NEWS! Bipartisan Dyslexia Caucus formed in US Congress

UPDATE from the Northern California Branch of IDA, the home district of one of the caucus creators:  "The caucus was formalized early this year, and a letter was sent to all members of Congress inviting them to join. The caucus has no specific legislative agenda at this time, but seeks to work across party lines to educate members and the public about dyslexia and to identify policies that will support dyslexic individuals as they pursue educational and career opportunities.

Please encourage your local representative to join the Dyslexia Caucus—it’s an opportunity to let our congressmen/women know how important this issue is to millions of Americans."
Link here to full message
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Here is some very exciting news! Two members of Congress, both of whom have children with dyslexia, have formed a caucus to help raise awareness and help make important policy changes. Here is the full text of the short article from the IDA-UMB website. Please consider adding your name to those in support of the caucus by sending a note to your Congresswoman or Congressman, as suggested at the end of the IDA article.

"Bipartisan Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Formed –

Urge Your Representative to Join Today!

Two prominent members of the U.S. Congress have formed the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus to raise 

awareness of dyslexia and help foster policy change for people with dyslexia. The caucus was formed just weeks ago by Rep. Bill Cassidy (LA-06) and Rep. Pete Stark (CA-13). As parents of children working to triumph over dyslexia, they are acutely aware of the many hurdles they must overcome to reach their full potential.

Please take a moment to urge the representatives from your area to join the caucus and support Reps. Cassidy and Stark in their efforts. 

Below is a sample email you can send to your representative once you find their email address here using the zip code finder at the top right, but feel free to share your personal connection to dyslexia in your email.  

TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!

1. Click Here for the US Representatives website.
2. Enter your Zip Code in the top right search box.
3. Click the envelope next to the name and photo of your representative.
4. Copy and paste the sample email below, add your personal statement and send!

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Please Join the Bipartisan Congressional Dyslexia Caucus

Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (last name):

As a member of the International Dyslexia Association, I am writing to ask that you consider joining the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, formed to work across party lines to educate members and the public about dyslexia.  There is much work to be done in raising awareness about dyslexia and making policy changes that create opportunity for all dyslexics and remove barriers to success.  I urge you to join Rep. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Pete Stark in this effort today.

Sincerely,

(Your name/mailing address)  "

http://www.interdys.org/CongressionalDyslexiaCaucus.htm

IDA-UMB Conference Saturday, 4/14/12

From the IDA-UMB website:

International Dyslexia Association, Upper Midwest Branch's
38th ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012
"Parent/Educator One-day Intensive"

Saturday, April 14, 2012
Earle Brown Heritage Center
Brooklyn Center, MN

TRACK 1:
"Foster Optimal Mental Wellness in LD Kids" featuring Dr. L. Read Sulik.

"Dr. Sulik is an exceptional speaker and expert psychiatrist (with a) 10-step approach to help children achieve optimal mental health. . . ."

TRACK 2:
"Morphology Development & Advanced Decoding" featuring William VanCleave 

"In fourth or fifth grade, students are introduced to textbooks filled with longer, multisyllabic words. In early high school, the caliber and complexity of that reading increases substantially. Even with effective basic phonics instruction, readers are often unable to handle both the increased quantity of text and its complexity. With this in mind, popular presenter VanCleave picks up where basic word attack leaves off."

Please see the website for further descriptions.

Registration discounts for IDA members. (The website says TODAY, April 7th, is the last day to register, but an email I received last night said, "only a week to register," so call them and you may still be able to get in.)

Dyslexia Style Guide from the British Dyslexia Society

Take a look at what the British Dyslexia Society is requesting of the British government--that when teachers are trained, there be mandatory Dyslexia training.  From the petition: "All teachers should be trained to understand dyslexia, its impact on learning and what constitutes dyslexia friendly practice. Teachers should be aware of when to signpost learners for assessment and when to provide appropriate intervention."
Here is the link: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20674
-via the Dyslexia Foundation, tweeted by @DyslexiaFound, April 4, 2012

Here is a link to a Dyslexia Style Guide from the British Dyslexia Society.
It includes information like this:
Do use paper thick enough that the text doesn't show through.
Do use fonts like Verdana, Arial, and Tahoma.
Don't use underlining or italics for headings or emphasis.
Do use bold instead.
http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/further-information/dyslexia-style-guide.html

IEP Advice: a PACER Workshop

Thursday, April 26, 2012
What I Could Have Said: Parents Share Communication Tips - see flyer 
A panel of parents of children with disabilities will share communication insights gained through years of experience at IEP meetings. Participants will receive the top ten tips for parent/professional communication.
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop

Click Here for the Flyer

from PACER, at  http://www.pacer.org/workshops/