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July 2024

Volume 1, No 35 (PDF)

LDAS to Take Part in SHRC’s Equitable Education Working Group

In June 2020, twenty-nine families of children with dyslexia filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC), citing unfair and inequitable educational access. The SHRC’s subsequent investigation revealed several critical issues, such as insufficient screening, inadequate reading instruction, lack of teacher training, long assessment wait times, limited resources, and disproportionate outcomes for Indigenous students. 

To address these findings, the SHRC established the Equitable Education Working Group. The group, which includes representatives from LDAS, held its first meeting on May 21st, gathering parents, SHRC members, university representatives, and school divisions. The Working Group will continue to meet regularly throughout 2024 and beyond. 

For more information, visit here

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Despite progress, obtaining necessary services and tools for education remains a struggle for parents and young adults with learning disabilities. Working adults also face difficulties revealing their LD for fear of negative consequences.

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Support Inclusion Research at TRAIL Lab! 

The TRAIL Lab at Holland Bloorview is pioneering research to promote social inclusion for children and youth with disabilities. TRAIL Lab is seeking passionate individuals and partners to join us in tackling discrimination, ableism, and racism. 

Clinicians, decision-makers, and youth join TRAIL Lab’s efforts in promoting social inclusion for children and youth with disabilities. Help develop innovative solutions and toolkits for workplace disability disclosure. 

Get involved and make a difference! Visit TRAIL Lab Research page to learn more ! 

https://hollandbloorview.ca/research-education/bloorview-research-institute/research centres-labs/trail-lab-research

The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada has no affiliation with the media outlets or organizations, and is not responsible for the content reported in each article. We are simply providing some highlights of the publicly available stories that hit the news this month.  To keep all of us aware of what is happening in the world, we provide Canadian, 

US and global stories where relevant.  This is by no means an exhaustive list, but hopefully it provides you with some food for thought:

RESEARCHERS HIGHLIGHT

Meet Dr. Daniel Ansari, a renowned Professor and Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience & Learning at Western University. Dr. Ansari leads the Numerical Cognition Laboratory, where his team delves into the development of numerical and mathematical skills in children and investigates the challenges some children face in acquiring these skills. Committed to bridging the gap between the Science of Learning and K 12 classrooms, Dr. Ansari is also a distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). 

Explore Dr. Ansari’s impactful work: 
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-dyscalculiar

Podcast: Understanding Dyscalculia:
https://www.additudemag.com/podcast-understand-dyscalculia-math learning-disability-ansari-224/ 

Scientific American: Understanding Dyscalculia:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/understanding dyscalculia-dyslexias-numeric-counterpart/ 

Research Article on ScienceDirect:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211949318300383

Overcoming Dyslexia 

Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an iconic American singer, actress, and television personality, often referred to as the “Goddess of Pop.” Renowned for her distinctive contralto voice and a career spanning six decades, Cher has achieved remarkable success in the entertainment industry despite her learning disability. 

Cher has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Her accolades include a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and the Billboard Icon Award. She is the only artist to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart in six consecutive decades from the 1960s to the 2010s. 

Despite her achievements, Cher faced significant challenges due to dyslexia, a learning disability that affects reading and writing. She discovered her dyslexia as an adult, which helped explain the difficulties she had in school. Although she wasn’t an excellent student, Cher was intelligent and creative, excelling in subjects like French and English. 

Cher’s story is an inspiring example of how perseverance and talent can overcome the barriers posed by learning disabilities. In addition to her entertainment career, she is known for her philanthropic work and activism, including her support for LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS prevention. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD... The new children’s book BORN TO BE ME! Presents 15 true stories of amazing Canadians from all walks of life who live with a learning disability or diffi culty.

“We distributed “Born to Be Me” to grade 6 and 7 families forparents and kids to read the testimonials and experiences of Canadians with Disabilities. The book can help individuals with their ownself-perception, esteem and confidence”.Simon Williams, Executive Co-Director, Foothills Academy Society

Click Here to Purchase

Published by Dominique & Friends, in collaboration with all of the 9 provinces and territories of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, this new book follows the publication of the French books ” Non aux étiquettes! ” and “Mission : Non aux étiquettes!” Jennifer Couëlle’s lively texts are illustrated in full color by Phil Poulin. Adapted fonts make reading easier for dyslexic persons. A glossary at the end of the book explains the different diagnoses.

YOUR DONATION IS IMPORTANT!

Despite progress, obtaining necessary services and tools for education remains a struggle for parents and young adults with learning disabilities. Working adults also face difficulties revealing their LD for fear of negative consequences.

Your donation can help us continue our work and expand our reach. With your support, we can

  • Advocate for policies and programs that promote inclusion and accessibility for people with learning disabilities
  • Conduct research and disseminate knowledge on learning disabilities issues and solutions
  • Educate and train parents, teachers, employers, and professionals on how to support people with learning disabilities
  • Provide services and resources to individuals and families affected by learning disabilities
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LDAC, where together, we can make a difference!

Sincerely,
The LDAC Team