NEWSAdults with Dyslexia Needed for Research ProjectParticipants are required for a study on the information needs of adults with dyslexia who seek information about/related to dyslexia. The study is being carried out as part of a Masters in Library and Information Studies Thesis project. Participants would be required to take part in a short, one-to-one interview on the subject of health information seeking. Participants must be over 18 years of age. If you are interested in taking part, contact Deirdre at deirdre.d2010@gmail.com. New Youth Group in DublinA new Youth Group for young people (12+) is being formed and will be open for business in the Finglas Youth Resource Centre located at Mellowes Road in Finglas (http://www.fyrc.ie/joomla/) in September. This was proposed by a parent of a young person with Asperger Syndrome and the centre have agreed to supply the premises and youth workers. As a taster the centre has very kindly agreed to host an open session from 4-6pm on June 22nd on the premises. The centre is delighted to invite parents and young people with Asperger Syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and ADHD to come along and have a look at the facilities and meet the staff. This is a fresh and innovative approach to meeting the social needs of young people with hidden disabilities. 
The Dalkey Book Festival is proud to support the Dyslexia Association of Ireland Take 25 renowned writers, (including Maeve Binchy, Joseph O'Connor, Paul Howard, Jim Sheridan, Conor McPherson, Eamon Morrissey, Martina Devlin, David McWilliams, Tim Pat Coogan, Lia Mills, Ryan Tubridy, Marita Conlon-McKenna and Mark Little), a Midsummer's Weekend, the beautiful and inspiring setting of more-than-picturesque Dalkey, and the unbridled enthusiasm of its entrepreneurs, who are fighting to keep their businesses and the town thriving! The result is the 1st Dalkey Book Festival, taking place at a host of venues and on the streets of Dalkey this 18th to 20th June. There'll be readings, debates, workshops, book signings, plays, talks and even a Ross O'Carroll-Kelly club night with the Rosser himself spinning the discs. Adults, come and meet your favourite local writer. Children, come for the readings and the storytelling workshops as well as the Dalkey United Family Fun Day, which will coincide with the festival on the Sunday. Mark the date on your calendar and make sure you're in town on Midsummer's Weekend this June - the new highlight of the Dalkey Social and Event Calendar. Click on the Festival logo above to visit the website. Survey on Educational GamesClaire McNelis, a graduate student at NUI Galway, is developing an educational computer game to help children with dyslexia to learn spelling rules. For her research she has created a survey to find out what experiences people with dyslexia have had with educational games, if any, and what they think would be helpful - the more people who respond, the better the game will be. The survey is titled "Educational Computer Games for People with Dyslexia" and can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQ32692. Claire would be really grateful for your assistance. New DAI Logo Launched
People will be surprised to learn that the Dyslexia Association of Ireland has never actually had its own logo. The logo we have used for many years was actually borrowed, with consent, from an American association. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware that this logo was very dated, and also very child focussed and as a result alienating to our many adult members. Therefore, DAI’s National Executive Committee decided to embark on an exciting journey to develop a new modern logo which would become a unique, strong and inclusive visual identity for our Association. The new logo was designed by Cronin Designs (www.cronindesigns.ie). As you can see above, it is a very positive dynamic mark which is instantly recognisable. We've chosen a bright inclusive colour palette to symbolise the diverse spectrum which dyslexia covers. The symbol itself represents direction and processing, both areas often affected by dyslexia. The arrow shape is open symbolising the openness of the Association. Moving in an upward direction always open for dialogue with our members, stakeholders and wider audience. Designed to reproduce at small and large sizes, it is a badge to be worn with pride, on t-shirts or on banners. For a while, both the old and the new logo will be in circulation while all existing stocks are used. We will gradually roll out the new logo in an economical manner when we need to print new stationery, books, etc. New DAI Website Under ConstructionWork is actively underway on re-designing our website to make it more accessible and useful for those seeking information on dyslexia and the Dyslexia Association. The re-design of the website will make it easier for people to find the information they need online. This will not only make it easier for people to find an answer to their information queries at any time and from any location, but it may hopefully reduce some of the pressure on our exceptionally busy telephone helpline. The new website will be launched in the coming months. Congratulations to DAI Workshops which won AIB Better Ireland Awards.Congratulations are due to three DAI workshops who each won an AIB Better Ireland award. The Dublin Northside (Gardiner Street) workshop, the Rush/Lusk/Skerries workshop and the Enniscorthy workshop each came second in their local AIB branch vote and consequently won €3000 for their workshop. Thanks to everyone who voted to support these three DAI workshops. The award will be a great help to these workshops in these difficult economic times. For a full list of all the winning groups visit the AIB Better Ireland website www.betterireland.ie. Arts and Dyslexia IrelandArts and Dyslexia Ireland is a new arts group specifically set up for people with dyslexia. It is a not for profit group and was established in 2009 by dyslexic adults and professional artists. The aim of the group is to establish workshops and courses for young people, teenagers, university students and adults (based on demand) who wish to develop and enhance their creative abilities in a fun and social setting. An open evening will take place on the 27th of January at 6.30pm and all ages are welcome to attend. A basic digital photography course will take place on the 3rd of February for nine weeks at the Digital Hub Development Agency. Registration is also taking place for a ten week Introduction to Drawing course. The courses will be structured according to age range and experience. A discounted fee of €100 will apply to students and the unwaged. If you are interested in the courses mentioned or would like to register your interest for other courses, a photo shoot or a social event please complete the registration form on our website; www.artsanddyslexia.com. Contact Maria McLoughlin on 086 - 664 9477 if you have any queries or would like further information regarding Arts and Dyslexia. New Tuition Centre in BlanchardstownThe Homework Club is a new tuition centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Set up by Dr. Naoisé O'Reilly who has dyslexia herself, the aim of the Homework Club is "to teach to learn not to cram". Group facilitation is a key part of their ethos, and they aim to cover each subject syllabus in a personalised way to suit each students needs. They offer after-school small group classes (maximum 10 students per class), and the cost is reasonable. Subjects covered at Junior and Leaving Certificate level include: English, Irish, French, German, Spanish, Business Studies, Maths, Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Combined Leaving Cert Hons Maths/Applied maths/Physics course, Geography, History, Art History, and Home Economics. For further information visit their website: www.homeworkclub.ie or email naoiseoreilly@homeworkclub.ie WAM Work Placements Now AvailableIf you are a graduate with a disability/specific learning differences seeking valuable work experience the AHEAD WAM (Willing Able Mentoring) Programme may be the opportunity you have been waiting for. Participating employers in WAM offer mentored and paid work placements to graduates with disabilities for a minimum of six months duration. For an application form and further information, please contact wam@ahead.ie or Tel. 01 2789325. Application forms are also available from their website: http://www.ahead.ie/employment_wamprogramme.php. DAI NewsletterThe DAI Autumn 2010 newsletter will be issued to current members in early September 2010. The DAI Spring 2010 newsletter was issued to current members on 19th March 2010. To download a copy of the DAI Spring 2010 Newsletter, click here (PDF format). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF Files. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click on the icon
below to download a free version from the Adobe site.
News ArchiveFor previous news stories and to view previous newsletters and annual reports, please click on the following link: News Archive DAI EVENTS DIARY
DAI's 2010 Annual Conference and AGMDate: Saturday 17th April 2010.
2010 Mary McKenna Golf Classic in aid of DAIDate: Sunday 8th May 2010.
In-Service Course for TeachersVenue: UCC, Cork City.
In-Service Course for TeachersVenue: Castletroy, Limerick.
Seminar for Adult Literacy Tutors on DyslexiaVenue: Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.
DAI Courses for ParentsDAI Courses for Parents will be next run in autumn 2010 as follows: Click on the course location to download an application form (WORD format). Alternatively, contact the DAI office and a form can be emailed or posted to you. Topics covered on these one-day courses will include:
Course for Junior Cert. StudentsA free course for Junior Certificate students with dyslexia will be run concurrently with the Parents' Courses. This students' course is for 3rd Year students only. The course will cover topics such as study skills and exam preparation for the Junior Certificate. Pre-booking is essential for all courses. In-Service Course for TeachersVenue: Lucan, West Dublin..
Spectrum Alliance Conference 2010"Commom Themes: Strategies for Managing Co-occuring Conditions"Venue: Red Cow Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin 22.
The Spectrum Alliance is an umbrella organisation which seeks to raise awareness of hidden disabilities. The four member organisations which make up the Spectrum Alliance are:
The Spectrum Alliance conference will provide information on all four areas and in particular addressing the common co-occurrence of these disabilities.
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