History and Aims

The ‘EDA’ was founded to share information on Dyslexia and how it is remediated in different countries within Europe. The guiding principle has always been to benefit children and adults by raising awareness of dyslexia and making information available to all.

The EDA was founded on 26th October 1987 as a voluntary international organisation by eight dyslexia associations from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom. It was created as a non-profit making international charity under Belgian statute, receiving the Arrête Royal on 4th January 1988.

The original idea for a Pan-European organisation was suggested by Dr Albert Galaburda at a conference in Germany in 1986. Marcel Seynave of the dyslexia association APEDA Belge realised the idea by securing funds from the European Commission. He invited known dyslexia associations in the then twelve member countries of the European Union to send delegates to a meeting at the Europa Hotel in Brussels where a constitution was agreed and the ‘EDA’ was born.

Since its foundation in 1987, the EDA has grown to 44 member associations in 30 countries in Europe and 3 countries outside (Brazil, Canada and Israel). Its members are either the national dyslexia associations or other organisations concerned with dyslexia.

The EDA holds Consultative status as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with the European Union, the Council of Europe and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and is a member of the European Disability Forum.

The executive board of the EDA meets once or twice a year and every two years holds a General Assembly of all its members at which a board of ten is elected from members’ nominees. Each board member is from a different country.

The last General Assembly was held in Cyprus at Limassol on 17th July 2005 following its conference on Multilingualism and Dyslexia.