On October 30^th 2008 the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, California ruled that dyslexic medical students taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAD) do not qualify to receive reasonable accommodations for their disability.

The entire ruling can be found at: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/A117071.PDF

This is, of course a step back in the area of discrimination for dyslexics.  Based on the language of the ruling I believe that the three panel court does not adequately understand the nature of dyslexia.

One point that I find interesting is the concept of “equal access.”  Clearly if a medical student was denied access to the MCAD because he or she could not physically get to the testing location (i.e. having a disability requiring an elevator instead of walking up stairs) this would be a violation.  However the access required for the dyslexic is non-physical (i.e. more time needed to take a test or write an essay).

Perhaps if the court understood the nature of dyslexia they would realize that providing someone who is unable to climb stares with an elevator and providing someone who is unable to quickly process phonemes more time for testing are both providing “equal access.”

Kudos to Queen Elizabeth’s Community College for their great work on helping dyslexic students!

Below is part of an article from the Mid Devon Star.  See the entire article at: http://www.middevonstar.co.uk/news/3767814.College_claims_dyslexia_award/

QUEEN Elizabeth’s Community College in Crediton has been acknowledged for its work in helping students with dyslexia.

The college has received the “Devon Inclusion Award – Dyslexia” at the ‘established level’. The award, now into its third year, was set up by Devon’s Dyslexia Strategy Group.

It aims to help schools improve access to the curriculum for students with severe literacy difficulties, and to recognise good practice.

In Riverside, California the IDA is offering a creative and fun program around dyslexia.  Below is part of an article from PE.com found at http://www.pe.com/localnews/healthcare/stories/PE_News_Local_S_readingbrief17.3c8c662.html

 

For families that visit the Riverside Public Library’s second floor today, it will be a day of storytelling, singing, food, magic and more.

The Inland Empire Branch of The International Dyslexia Association is presenting "The Fun of Reading: A Family Affair" at the Riverside Public Library.

"We have a dual purpose," said Regina Richards, president of the branch and event coordinator. "One is to educate the public about literacy … ways to encourage literacy in preschool, elementary, all ages. We’ll also have information about dyslexia.

"The second theme is that we want kids to have fun with reading … to really enjoy the process."

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What I love about this approach is that they are turning what is ordinarily a chore into something fun by using a multi-sensory approach.

When you can use a "storyteller" (audio) along with the children reading (visual), have the children play along with the story (kinesthetic) that is great!  Any time you are able to get more of your senses involved in reading (communicating information) that will help improve both the child’s abilities and desire to read.

Weather you’re working with your child or a group of children this is a good example of the creating an appropriate environment for the type of instruction that is most helpful for dyslexic children.