Welcome to the DAI Web Site

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) was founded in 1972. It is a company, limited by guarantee, a voluntary organisation with charitable status (Charity No. 10044). It aims to promote awareness of Specific Learning Disability (SLD/Dyslexia) and to serve the needs of people with this difficulty.

The DAI lobbies for the provision of appropriate services by the state to all people with dyslexia. It provides a free information service to the public. Services offered include: psycho-educational assessment of children and adults, group and individual specialised tuition, teachers' courses, summer schools, speakers for schools and parents groups.

The DAI has thirty three branches currently. Branches act as parent support groups in local areas, provide information and run out-of-school facilities (Workshops) for children. Membership of the Association is open to anyone concerned with promoting the treatment and prevention of the problems of Specific Learning Disability/Dyslexia.

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland is a founder member of the European Dyslexia Association which now has over twenty-five member countries. It is a founder member of Spectrum, an umbrella group for people with hidden learning disabilities. It is a corporate member of the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), a member of the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).

The Association represents over 2,500 families all over Ireland. Its membership also includes teachers, psychologists and medical practitioners. The Dyslexia Association of Ireland currently has thirty five branches and offers thirty four "out-of-school" facilities (Workshops) for children with SLD.

The association also provides services for adults with SLD/Dyslexia.

The Association lobbies for the provision of appropriate services by the state to all dyslexic people. It also provides:

• An information service to the public.
• Psycho-educational assessment of children and adults.
  The Association accepts referrals from parents, teachers, doctors and psychologists, and will arrange testing for anyone with a Specific Learning Disability.
• Group and individual tuition to children and adults.
  • Specialised help is offered to pupils aged 7-18 in various centres around the country.
  • The Association maintains a countrywide list of specialist teachers/tutors who are willing to give private one-to-one tuition.
• Summer Schools.
  Non-residential summer schools are held each July offering literacy, language and mathematical development within a summer camp setting.
• The association also sponsors a full-time course for unemployed adults with dyslexia. This course is administered by FÁS.
• In-service courses for teachers.
  DAI offers in-service courses on dyslexia for qualified teachers.
• Speakers to school and parent groups.
  The Association also offers courses and talks for parents on how to help and support their dyslexic children. These are generally run in conjunction with local branches.
• Seminars and conferences on relevant topics.

The Association, through it's Educational Committee, evaluates new information and teaching methods for the remediation of Specific Learning Difficulty. It keeps in touch with government departments, politicians and relevant professional bodies and educational organisations.

The Association is a national source of information on Specific Learning Disabilities. Parents and professionals are available to speak to any group about all aspects of Specific Learning Disability. Information and literature is available from the national office.

DAI Rush/Lusk/Skerries Branch seeks a Workshop Programme Co-ordinator.

DAI Rush/Lusk/Skerries Branch seeks a Workshop Programme Co-ordinator. The position becomes available from September 2010.

Required: fully qualified teacher with training and experience of working with students with dyslexia and ideally experience of working within a DAI workshop. Part-time position. Availability to attend the Workshop on Wednesdays 5th and 12th May 2009 to facilitate handover from the current Programme Co-ordinator preferred.

For further information contact Valerie Belton 087-2890802 or email camaderry4@eircom.net.