Note from our President
Welcome to the International Dyslexia Association of Northern California. We are committed to providing you with information about dyslexia through our website resources. IDA Northern California is notable for our powerful dyslexia simulation, Experience Dyslexia™. This simulation has led to greater awareness of dyslexia across the country and around the world. Please browse our website to learn more!Grace Sharma
President
IDA NorCal
California’s Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties
Are you a parent, teacher, specialist, or community member curious about the upcoming mandatory reading difficulty screener mandate for California public schools? Are you interested in learning more about this early screening process, which is already being implemented in 80 percent of the United States?
We are pleased to announce an informational webinar hosted by Dr. Bonnie Garcia, the California Statewide Literacy Co-Director for the California Department of Education. Dr. Garcia will provide general information about this preventative screening process. We’ll also briefly examine the four screener options. Then, we’ll have time for Q&A.
Please join us for this free webinar on Thursday, May 8th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Registration is open. Arrive a few minutes early to socialize on Zoom.
Assembly Bill 1121 Advances Literacy Reform Across California
Assembly member Blanca Rubio’s early literacy bill, AB 1121, aims to transform how reading is taught in California’s elementary schools. The bill requires all TK–5 educators, specialists, and administrators to complete state-approved training in evidence-based reading instruction. It also mandates that all English Language Arts materials used in TK–8 align with the Science of Reading and state-adopted standards.
This legislation is a major step forward in addressing California’s literacy crisis and ensuring that all students, regardless of background, receive the high-quality reading instruction they deserve.
Learn more about AB 1121 here.
Learn more about this film! Tell your friends, family, principals, teachers and anyone else who needs to know that literacy is our greatest civil right. Let’s take action, and help to solve this crisis!
Why K-2 Universal Screening for Risk of Dyslexia is Needed in CA
Infographic of the Month
Overcoming Dyslexia
Dyslexia is everywhere, touching so many children and adults, and while science has made extraordinary progress in understanding and clarifying the condition, this incredibly powerful knowledge rarely reaches those who most need to know and would greatly benefit from it. Our goal is to change all this with the Coursera you are about to view, produced by Dr. Sally Shaywitz, the Audrey G. Ratner Professor in Learning Development, both the leading scientist studying dyslexia and the most devoted advocate for helping those who are dyslexic.
NEW FACT SHEET!
Dyslexia Devoted Podcast
IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know
In addition to offering valuable information about dyslexia and its characteristics, this handbook provides information on assessments, effective teaching approaches, self-advocacy ideas, and a vast array of resources.
Further, the handbook contains information that will be useful throughout a child’s life, from elementary school through college. The degree of difficulty a child with dyslexia has with reading, spelling, and/or speaking varies from person to person due to inherited differences in brain development, as well as the type of teaching the child receives.
It is crucial to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of dyslexia so that a child can be evaluated early and obtain the appropriate instruction and accommodations he or she needs to succeed in school.
We encourage you to share this handbook. The more families we can inform, the more children we can help!
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Dyslexia is the most common learning disability with 15-20% of the population showing symptoms of dyslexia. Learn More
- It is a language-based learning disability and is not related to intelligence– plenty of very bright people have dyslexia.
- There are many successful people with dyslexia such as Henry Winkler, Caitlyn Jenner (previously known as Bruce Jenner), Whoopi Goldberg and Charles Schwab.
- IDA has established standards for teachers of reading. These research-based standards are helpful for all and critical for students with dyslexia.
Black Lives Matter
IDA NorCal believes that learning to read is a civil right. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and pledge to work towards erasing racial disparities that impede the quality of literacy instruction our children deserve. We are committed to advocating for all students, especially those who have dyslexia. until everyone can read. IDA NorCal will do more to contribute to a community where racism has no place and where Black lives, education and opportunities matter. #Blacklivesmatter #Untileveryonecanread
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