NO MATTER WHICH COUNTRY –

NO MATTER WHICH LANGUAGE –

The European Dyslexia Association is a European non-governmental umbrella organisation for national and regional associations of people with dyslexia and other specific learning differences, children’s parents, professionals and scientists. It was founded and legally established under Belgium law in 1987 in Brussels as an international non-profit association by representatives of ten national dyslexia associations. It is the platform and the Voice of the people with dyslexia and so called ‘Specific Learning Difficulties’ in Europe.

The EDA currently has 23 regional and national Effective Members in 21 EU countries plus Switzerland and Norway and 9 Adherent member organisations; in all 32 member organisations in 24 European countries:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The EDA is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in official relation with UNESCO; a Full Member of the European Disability Forum (EDF); and has Consultative Status with the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA).

According to substantiated scientific estimates, the group of European Citizens with dyslexia and specific learning differencies encompasses between 5 and 12 percent of the population, navigating through life in a largely non-‘dys’ friendly world. Dyslexia is the most widespread specific learning difference, making the acquiring and using of reading, spelling and writing skills and other communication-related cultural abilities difficult (commonly known as ‘DYS-differences’). Quoting academic surveys, other learning differences as dysphasia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and attention deficit disorder exist commonly known as ‘DYS-differences’, (concluded under ‘DYS’). A same person can also accumulate some of these differences, dyslexia being associated to dysphasia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or attention deficit.

Co-occurrence of the DYS-differences is obvious:

50% of persons with dyslexia are dyspraxic as well.

40% of persons with dyspraxia are either dyslexic or have differences in attention.

85 % of persons with dysphasia are dyslexic as well

20 % of persons with dyslexia are having differences in attention with or without hyperactivity.

50 % of hyperactive children are dyslexic etc.

It is generally (and indisputably) known and documented that the cultural abilities of reading and writing are among the most important prerequisites in our society for individual cultural, social and economic development and success. Furthermore, across Europe, the diversity of languages and the multilingual demands, socio-cultural backgrounds as well as educational opportunity, have a significant influence on the manifestation of difficulties and life-chances for children, adolescents and adults with DYS differences. Without sufficient knowledge in this area, failure in school, employment, general communication impairments and social segregation are common threats, with well-known consequences in the lives of those affected, their family members and society.

More than a century of research has enabled us to increase our understanding of how humans acquire language and literacy skills, and why people with dyslexia find the process difficult to access.

There have been significant advances in procedures that enable earlier identification of dyslexia, determine which interventions work best and then to develop appropriate support for people with dyslexia in schools as well as the workplace.

Despite that, dyslexia presents concerns and challenges for millions of children and adults across Europe. These challenges require major changes for governments, policymakers and organisations to improve attitudes, legislation and positive practice in education and the workplace.

Many of the issues relating to dyslexia can be improved through raising awareness of dyslexia and what can be done to adapt to it. That is why the vision of the EDA is to ensure that "every child and adult with dyslexia has the right to access and receive appropriate support and opportunity to achieve their full potential in education, training employment and life".

Researchers acknowledge that there are many possible causes of each single or accumulated DYS differences, including genetics.

There is no relationship between a person's level of intelligence, individual effort or socio-economic position and the presence of dyslexia and /or a "DYS" difference.

It may be caused by a combination of difficulties in the cognitive development of abilities like phonological processing, working memory, rapid naming, sequencing and the automaticity of basic skills.

At its conferences and meetings the EDA provides a platform for the most recent scientific findings in this area, best-practice interventions in the field of education and extra-curricular advancement as well as the advancement of affected individuals from all parts of the European Union.

The EDA is particularly interested in supporting the creation and development of national and regional organisations for people with dyslexia across the whole of Europe.

The main aims of EDA is to inform people, politicians, policy makers, trade and commerce unions and pressure groups in Europe about the necessity of supporting those who are dyslexic or DYS in a positive way, in order to avoid negative consequences caused by inappropriate education and training, low self-esteem and under-achievement which may lead to social exclusion.

With its wide angle of activities it facilitates the exchange of information and good practice through international networking and lobbying. In partnership with its member organisations, the EDA will challenge prejudice and ignorance to ensure that people with dyslexia and DYS are empowered to reach their full potential.

European DYS-organisations already work together in a Europe-wide network as far as it concerns common targets towards European Institutions. The EDA has positive experiences from working together with EDF and would encourage other DYS organisations to join the EDF to enhance the influence on the European Institutions.

This would facilitate exchange of information and good practice through international networking and lobbying in partnership with member organisations, governmental bodies and professionals working within the different ‘dys’ communities.

The target is to ensure that every child and adult with Dysphasia, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia or Attention Deficit Disorder, etc has the right to access and to receive appropriate identification, support and opportunity to achieve their full potential in education, training, employment and all aspects of life.

How we function:

The activities of the EDA are organised and directed by volunteers. A Board of Directors is elected at a General Assembly of the members held every year. The Directors´ mandate is non-remunerative. The Board meets at least three times a year.

Effective membership is restricted to non-profit making dyslexia associations only. Other organisations with a scientific or social interest in dyslexia can apply for adherent membership. However, before acquiring Effective membership, non-profit making dyslexia associations applying for membership are accepted as adherent members only, but after two years they can apply for effective membership.

The European Dyslexia Association is a European umbrella organisation for national and regional associations of people with dyslexia (and other DYS-differences), children’s parents and professionals and academic researchers. It facilitates the exchange of information and good practice through international networking and lobbying. In partnership with its member organisations, the EDA will challenge prejudice and ignorance to ensure that people with dyslexia are empowered to reach their full potential.

Every child and adult with dyslexia (and/or DYS-differences) in Europe has the right to access and to receive appropriate support and opportunity to achieve their full potential in education, training, employment and life.

Website: www.dyslexia.eu.com

Contact président: m.kalmar@utanet.at

Legal address:

c/o Bureau Felix & Felix sprl

Chaussée de Tubize 135

B-1440 Braine Le Château, Belgium