Dyslexia Association of Ireland

Intent: We raised issues including: the need for better guidance around eligibility for the Assistive Technology Grant; potential collaboration around TPL/CPD on topics including dyslexia and dyscalculia; and sharing of information about supports and accommodations in schools for children and young people with dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Methods: Meeting

Intent: For Oireachtas Members to pledge their support for extra time for dyslexic student in State Exams. TDs and Senators were asked to contact Dyslexia Ireland’s team at communications@dyslexia.ie to make the pledge. Dyslexia Ireland subsequently updated their website showing which members of the Oireachtas had made the pledge https://dyslexia.ie/pledges-of-support/

Methods: Email

Intent: To raise awareness of Oireachtas members on the urgent need for extra time for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties when sitting State Exams (Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate) as part of the accommodations offered within the RACE (Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations) scheme as administered by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).

Methods: Meeting, Email

Intent: To brief the Minister and raise awareness about the issues affecting children, young people and adults with dyslexia, in education and training settings.

Methods: Meeting

Intent: At the request of his PA we prepared briefing material for Deputy Collins on our campaign to have extra time introduced for dyslexic students when they are sitting state exams (Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate). This included the rationale for our campaign and information about interactions that we have had had with policy officials and the media on this issue. ::We would like to see the accommodation of Extra Time introduced into the RACE scheme that is operated by the State Examinations Commission.

Methods: Email

Intent: To raise awareness of Oireachtas members on Dyslexia Rights, namely: (1) The Right to Assessment, highlighting the current lack of access to timely professional dyslexia assessment; (2) the Right to Identity, emphasising the benefit of the word 'dyslexia' and promoting its use in relevant policy and guidance; and (3) the Right to Support, highlighting the challenges dyslexic individuals face when trying to access appropriate supports at school, third level and in the workplace.

Methods: Event / Reception, Email

Intent: We sought agreement by the SEC to review the Reasonable Accommodations in Certificate Examinations (RACE) scheme to better reflect international and third-level practice including the addition of extra time as an option for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties who need it.

Methods: Meeting

Intent: We raised issues including building school capacity to better meet the needs of dyslexic students, including NEPS capacity to deliver dyslexia assessments. We asked for a review of guidance documents to drive better support for pupils with dyslexia aligned with the evidence from Science of Reading and structured literacy research. We also asked that 'dyslexia' as a term be given appropriate prominence/recognition in said publications.

Methods: Meeting

Intent: Meeting with the State Examinations Commission, and a review of the Reasonable Accommodations in Certificate Examinations operated by the SEC to better reflect international practice including the addition of extra time as an option for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties who need it.

Methods: Email, Social Media

Intent: To build awareness of the challenges students with dyslexia can face when learning additional languagesand why some need exemptions from languagess, the need to review the eligibility criteria and the unfairness of cut-off points using one test result on one day as a key criteria, the lack of accurate data which leads to illinformed commentary, the need for strong guidance on alternative arrangements, and the need for better teaching of all languages aligned with the science of reading

Methods: Meeting