Decoding Dyslexia – MA Brings Dyslexia Awareness to State House
Parents and professionals, representing Decoding Dyslexia – Massachusetts (DD-MA), invited legislators to learn more about dyslexia.
Boston, MA, October 22, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Massachusetts State House conference room 511 was abuzz with conversations highlighting the importance of understanding dyslexia on the afternoon of Thursday, October 16th. Parents and professionals, representing Decoding Dyslexia – Massachusetts (DD-MA), invited legislators to learn more about the neurological causes and detectable signs of dyslexia, which can make learning to read more difficult. Their concerns focus on the lack identification that would lead to appropriate curriculum and interventions for students with dyslexia.
Although the science of dyslexia is understood in the medical and scientific communities, that learning has not widely transferred into our education system or to the public at large. Dr. Sally Shaywitz of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity testified last month at a hearing on “The Science of Dyslexia” in Washington DC. She said, “In dyslexia, there is an abundance of high quality scientific knowledge so that we have not a knowledge gap, but an action gap. It is our hope that hearing the depth and extent of the scientific knowledge of dyslexia will alert policy makers to act, and to act with a sense of urgency.”
DD-MA is striving to help bridge this knowledge gap and share information with local legislators in Massachusetts. With early identification and the use of evidence-based curriculum, students with dyslexia can become strong readers and can learn the curriculum needed to become college and career ready.
Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts thanks Governor Patrick for his assistance in raising awareness by proclaiming October as Dyslexia Awareness Month again this year. Both Senator Jamie Eldridge (Middlesex and Worcester districts) and Senator Jason Lewis (fifth Middlesex district) provided DD-MA with Senate citations for raising awareness. Mr. Bernard Goulding, Chairman of the Board at the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Greater Boston spoke with Representative Alice Peisch (Wellesley), Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, about the success the center has had with students and the need for more services. Also attending were Assistant Minority Leader, Representative George Peterson Jr. of Grafton; Representative Lenny Mirra (West Newbury); staff member Benjamin Thomas, aide to Representative Jim Cantwell (Marshfield); staff members from Senator Eldridge’s office including Chief of Staff Michael Carr, District Director Danillo Sena, and Office Assistant Melissa Reilly. Senator Jason Lewis also provided a guided tour through the State House to members of the group. Supporters from the Children's Center for Dyslexia, Learning Ally, and Wilson Reading Systems were also in attendance.
DD-MA is raising awareness of dyslexia all month long by hosting informational presentations, movie showings and meetings. The October awareness campaign includes using social media to post photos of supporters with the State Proclamation throughout the month. Please visit DD-MA’s website to join in its efforts or to get more information on activities in your area.
About Decoding Dyslexia
Decoding Dyslexia is a network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within the public education system. We aim to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia.
For more information, please contact:
Nancy Duggan
Phone: 978-266-0145
Email: decodingdyslexiama@gmail.com
Website: www.decodingdyslexiama.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodingDyslexiaMA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDyslexiaMA
Although the science of dyslexia is understood in the medical and scientific communities, that learning has not widely transferred into our education system or to the public at large. Dr. Sally Shaywitz of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity testified last month at a hearing on “The Science of Dyslexia” in Washington DC. She said, “In dyslexia, there is an abundance of high quality scientific knowledge so that we have not a knowledge gap, but an action gap. It is our hope that hearing the depth and extent of the scientific knowledge of dyslexia will alert policy makers to act, and to act with a sense of urgency.”
DD-MA is striving to help bridge this knowledge gap and share information with local legislators in Massachusetts. With early identification and the use of evidence-based curriculum, students with dyslexia can become strong readers and can learn the curriculum needed to become college and career ready.
Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts thanks Governor Patrick for his assistance in raising awareness by proclaiming October as Dyslexia Awareness Month again this year. Both Senator Jamie Eldridge (Middlesex and Worcester districts) and Senator Jason Lewis (fifth Middlesex district) provided DD-MA with Senate citations for raising awareness. Mr. Bernard Goulding, Chairman of the Board at the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Greater Boston spoke with Representative Alice Peisch (Wellesley), Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, about the success the center has had with students and the need for more services. Also attending were Assistant Minority Leader, Representative George Peterson Jr. of Grafton; Representative Lenny Mirra (West Newbury); staff member Benjamin Thomas, aide to Representative Jim Cantwell (Marshfield); staff members from Senator Eldridge’s office including Chief of Staff Michael Carr, District Director Danillo Sena, and Office Assistant Melissa Reilly. Senator Jason Lewis also provided a guided tour through the State House to members of the group. Supporters from the Children's Center for Dyslexia, Learning Ally, and Wilson Reading Systems were also in attendance.
DD-MA is raising awareness of dyslexia all month long by hosting informational presentations, movie showings and meetings. The October awareness campaign includes using social media to post photos of supporters with the State Proclamation throughout the month. Please visit DD-MA’s website to join in its efforts or to get more information on activities in your area.
About Decoding Dyslexia
Decoding Dyslexia is a network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within the public education system. We aim to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia.
For more information, please contact:
Nancy Duggan
Phone: 978-266-0145
Email: decodingdyslexiama@gmail.com
Website: www.decodingdyslexiama.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecodingDyslexiaMA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDyslexiaMA
Contact
Decoding Dyslexia MA
Nancy Duggan
978-266-0145
decodingdyslexiama.org
Nancy Duggan
978-266-0145
decodingdyslexiama.org
Contact
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