Category Archives: sources of information / support

sources of information / support

Dyslexia Scotland West Lothian Branch Open Meeting and AGM

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The next Open Meeting of the Dyslexia Scotland West Lothian Branch will take place on Wednesday, 11th September 2013 in Pod 2 on the first floor of the Street Building, West Lothian College at 7pm.

The meeting will start with the AGM, which will give you a brief insight into the activities of the Branch for the last 12 months.

This will be followed by a talk by Shirley Illman, Principal Teacher, Dyslexia Support, West Lothian Literacy Services.  Shirley will talk about the excellent work she and her team at Literacy Services carry out in supporting teachers and dyslexic pupils throughout West Lothian.

After the talk, tea and coffee (and biscuits) will be available and there will be a chance to chat and have a look at the information table.

This would be a particularly good meeting for parents and carers of dyslexic pupils.

Should you wish any more information regarding this, please do not hesitate to email dswestlothian@gmail.com or by call Irene on 07944 353753.

sources of information / support

Parentzone – Tell Education Scotland what you think about the Parentzone website

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Parentzone is a website dedicated to providing parents or carers, with the most up-to-date information about their child’s education.  It provides practical advice and suggestions of ways that parents can be involved in their child’s learning, as well as essential information on features of Curriculum for Excellence.

If you are a parent of a child aged 3–18, Education Scotland would be grateful if you would complete a short survey to help ensure that Parentzone reflects the needs of all parents and carers.  The survey should take about 5–10 minutes to complete and all responses are confidential.

The survey will close on 31 August.

ICT, sources of information / support, Uncategorized

Dyslexia Scotland West Lothian March Open Meeting

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The West Lothian Branch of Dyslexia Scotland is a local volunteer led group, which offers information and support to adults and children with dyslexia and to their families, teachers, and other professionals.  The Branch is holding an Open Meeting on Wednesday 20 March 2013, between 7pm and 9pm at West Lothian College, Livingston.  A copy of their flyer is available by clicking here.

Continue reading Dyslexia Scotland West Lothian March Open Meeting →

sources of information / support

Dyslexia Scotland West Lothian Branch Open Meeting

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The West Lothian Branch of Dyslexia Scotland are holding an Open Meeting on Wednesday, 30th January 2013, from 7pm to 9pm at the Hub, Street Building, West Lothian College, Almondvale Crescent, Livingston.

The organisation aims to raise awareness about dyslexia and to provide information and support to adults and children with dyslexia and to their teachers, parents, employers and anyone else with an interest. Meetings are informal and friendly and everyone is welcome. As well as enhancing the knowledge base, the meetings provide an opportunity to share experience and advice.

This month the guest speaker is Anna Doherty from Dyslexia Action. Dyslexia Action offers help and support to those affected by dyslexia and literacy difficulties. This includes a range of assessment and screening services, and consultancy services for schools, colleges, universities, employers and training providers. You can find more information about them at dyslexiaaction.org.uk.

There will be an informal session before Anna’s talk where you will have an opportunity to chat over a cup of tea or coffee and perhaps pick up some information from the resource table. Everyone is welcome.

Should you wish any further information, please email dswestlothian@gmail.com or call 07944 353753.

ICT, sources of information / support

OpenDyslexic Font

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OpenDyslexic is a new open sourced font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia.  The typefaces includes regular, bold, italic and bold–italic styles and each letter has a unique shape and the bottoms have been thickened to give them extra ‘gravity’.  It is being updated continually and improved based on input from dyslexic users.  There are no restrictions on using OpenDyslexic other than attribution.  The font can be downloaded at http://dyslexicfonts.com.

sources of information / support

‘Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit’ launched

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This revised and upgraded version of the former Assessing Dyslexia Toolkit provides a resource for all who are involved in the identification and support of learners who are exhibiting difficulties with literacy.  Teachers can use the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit at varying levels depending on their existing knowledge of dyslexia and support for learning needs.  The toolkit guides users through the steps from initial identification of early signs of difficulty in literacy development putting in appropriate teaching and support, evaluating that support, and where appropriate, considering whether the term ‘dyslexia’ is appropriate.  Parents are also provided with an overview of their child’s dyslexia and tips and advice are provided on how to address dyslexia.  Information is also provided for the pupils themselves.  The toolkit can be accessed at www.addressingdyslexia.org or via the Dyslexia Scotland website at www.dyslexiascotland.org.

sources of information / support

Ambitious about Autism

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Ambitious about Autism is a national charity dedicated to improving opportunities for people with autism. Originally established in 1997 as the TreeHouse Trust, the charity was founded by a group of parents whose children had been diagnosed with severe autism.

Click here to visit their website which explains what the charity does as well as giving information about autism itself.

Legislation, sources of information / support

Doran Review

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Scottish Government is reviewing how education will be provided for children and young people with complex support needs. Peter Doran is chairing that review, often referred to as the Doran Review.

As part of the review, consultation events will be taking place with parents. The intention is to find out the views of families and parent support groups on a number of important questions. The results of that consultation exercise will contribute to the review.

Views are being sought from parents on:

  • How satisfied you are with the processes to identify your child’s care, health and learning needs.
  • How well informed you feel about schools and services that could help their child.
  • How well nurseries or schools and other services such as Health and Social Work are meeting your child’s needs.
  • How well supported you and your child feel when he or she is preparing to leave and settling into a new school, or leaving school to go on to adult services.

The events will take place at:

22nd March 12 noon to 3pm Aberdeen, Thistle Altens Hotel

27th March 9.30am to 1pm Edinburgh Hilton  Grosvenor Hotel

29th March 9.30am to 1pm Glasgow Hilton Grosvenor Hotel

A booking form can be downloaded and returned to Children in Scotland. Or you can also book online atwww.childreninscotland.org.uk/doran

Or, Email training@childreninscotland.org.uk

Or, Telephone             0131 222 2446       Fax 0131 228 8585

Or, Post Children in Scotland, Princes House, 5 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RG

Legislation, sources of information / support

Take Note

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Take Note is a partnership between Barnardo’s Scotland and the Scottish Child Law Centre that provides lay and legal advice to families and young people who appeal to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland (ASNTS) against decisions made by education authorities regarding the provision of education support. 

If you have grounds to make a reference to the additional support needs tribunal for Scotland (ASNTS)  Take Note can provide you with access to an advocate to ensure that your views are heard and represented in all decision making processes.

 To find out more information regarding this service click here to access the Take Note website or here to download a copy of their leaflet.