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Get Set for Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024: ‘What’s Your Story?’Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 is just around the corner, taking place from October 7th to October 13th this autumn. Led by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), this national campaign aims to highlight some of the experiences, strengths and challenges that individuals with dyslexia face as part of its mission to remove barriers and create a dyslexia-friendly society. This year, the power of storytelling lies at the heart of dyslexia awareness week. With the theme “What’s Your Story?” the charity will share accounts from people with dyslexia from all walks of life, highlighting some of the triumphs, difficulties, and unexpected plot twists that make every individual’s experience with dyslexia distinctive. The campaign encourages members of the public to share their stories too and invites schools and business to get involved using eye-catching activities, resources and information packs.“Dyslexia affects everyone differently,” says Helen Goodsall, Knowledge and Information Manager at the British Dyslexia Association. “With over 6.7 million dyslexic individuals in the UK, that’s a lot of stories to tell! By describing our experiences, we not only reassure others that they are not alone but we can share strategies for support as well as advocate for the early identification, specialised intervention, and ongoing accommodations that are sadly so often lacking in the stories we hear.”“Early intervention can change the arc of any story, ensuring that barriers are overcome and opportunities are not missed.” The BDA is committed to ensuring that every dyslexic individual receives the support they need right from the start. With over 80% of dyslexic learners thought to be leaving school without a formal diagnosis, the organisation provides vital information and accredited training for parents, educators, and individuals themselves.A key focus of this year’s campaign is fundraising for the national Helpline, which provides free support, advice and signposting to members of the Press Release

public via telephone, email and across social media channels. The charity is seeking funds to ensure the Helpline can remain open and free of charge to members of the public for the foreseeable future. For more information on Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 and to get involved, visit bdadyslexia.org.uk. Follow the BDA on social media @BritishDyslexiaAssociation for updates and inspiring stories throughout the week.Contact: Jenny Steele British Dyslexia Association Phone: 01344 381561Email: media@bdadyslexia.org.uk Download Release

Dyslexia Awareness week is a national campaign established by the British Dyslexia Association and takes place annually in October. This year, Dyslexia Awareness Week will take place from 7-13 October 2024.The theme of #DAW24 - Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 is ‘What’s your Story?’ and it focuses on three clear messages about dyslexia: Theme1. Every story is different Dyslexia affects everyone differently. With approximately 10% of the population being dyslexic, that’s over 6.7 million stories to tell. As each person is unique, so is everyone’s experience of dyslexia. Each story will feature triumphs, difficulties, surprises, challenges, adventures, a variety of characters and any number of twists and turns. What’s your story? By telling their story they can help: • Reflect the diversity of lived experience of dyslexia • Demonstrate the need for early identification, specialist intervention and ongoing support • Give hope to those struggling with their situation By sharing our stories we can support and inspire others and together, we can create a world where people with dyslexia can flourish.

2. It’s never too late to change your story Every day is a new page: your story can go in a new direction! It’s never too late to change your story. At the British Dyslexia Association, we know that many people’s stories have been shadowed by difficulties and challenges so far. But we also hear stories where the right support at the right time has made a dramatic difference. Whether that’s later in life, in education or in the workplace. Find out what help is available so that you can start a new chapter: • Discover whether you might have dyslexia • Learn about your statutory rights and entitlements • Develop strategies to use in the areas you find challenging Join our movement and connect with others.3. A strong opening sets the scene The beginning of any story is crucially important. It sets the scene for everything that follows. We hear too many stories where support wasn’t available early enough. With over 80% of dyslexic learners leaving school without a diagnosis, early chapters often feature barriers, obstacles and missed opportunities. We provide information and training so that: • Parents and carers can get the support they need • Teachers and educators can access professional accredited training • Individual needs can be identified as early as possible Help us make sure that support is available at the start of every learner’s story.

Facts and Statisticsmore likely that a child with dyslexia will be temporarily or permanently be excluded from school.3.5x80%of young people do not have their dyslexia identified at school.There are three learners with dyslexia in every typical classx Learners Adults in the UK workplace are dyslexic. Many are undiagnosed.of self-made millionaires are dyslexic40%School children in the UK have dyslexia. Many are undiagnosed.

What is Dyslexia?Dyslexia is a lifelong, genetic, neurological Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)It affects all genders, ethnicities and social groups. It is not connected to intellectual ability and its impact ranges from mild to severe.Dyslexia is best described as a set of processing difficulties that affect learning to read and spell. But its impact goes beyond this and children with dyslexia experience difficulty in becoming automatic in all aspects of their learning and need more explicit teaching in order to reach the standards expected.There can be early indications of dyslexia such as slower development of speech and language skills, but it is usually first noticeable when a child starts school and struggles to learn to read and spell.Dyslexia affects everyone differently, and each child will have their own strengths and challenges. Dyslexia often occurs with other SpLD such as dyscalculia or dyspraxia/DCD which can further impact upon learning and development.Dyslexia can present daily barriers at school, and a child may find it hard to thrive. They may feel shame or anxiety because of their difficulties, and this can be compounded if their challenges are misinterpreted as a lack of ability, laziness or behavioural issues. When this happens, it can have a big impact upon their confidence and self-esteem. A diagnosis can be made by a Specialist Teacher Assessor with an Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC) or an HCPC registered Educational Psychologist but diagnosis is not routinely carried out at school. Cost can be a prohibitive factor and many dyslexic people are never formally diagnosed. Simple changes or adjustments at school and in the workplace based on individual needs can have a big impact on the lives of dyslexic people.

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) was established in 1972 and is the voice of dyslexic people. We aim to influence government and other institutions to promote a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people of all ages to reach their full potential.Our NarrativeWe believe that everyone with dyslexia should be able to reach their full potential in life. We campaign for an inclusive society that acknowledges, accepts and empowers individuals with dyslexia so that we can help create a kinder, fairer and stronger world.Around 10% of the population has dyslexia. Dyslexia doesn’t discriminate, occurring across all ethnicities and in people from all social groups. A vast number of individuals are undiagnosed and do not receive adequate support. As a result, they face daily barriers: in education, in the workplace and in life. They may be excluded from activities, shamed for their differences or simply disregarded. Too many children and adults with dyslexia find it hard to thrive within a system that often fails to recognise, value or encourage them. And as a society, we are poorer for it. British Dyslexia Association - About UsOUR VISIONA world where people with dyslexia can flourish.OUR MISSIONTo change society by removing barriers so that everyone with dyslexia can reach their full potential in education, in employment and in life.

At the British Dyslexia Association, we want all children and adults with dyslexia to have the opportunity to flourish. We believe that our world should welcome different ways of thinking and celebrate neurodiversity. By representing our community as the voice of dyslexia, we aim to ensure that all members of society, and especially those most disadvantaged and least privileged, receive the support they deserve. We advocate for change in three ways.Firstly, we cultivate and maintain expertise in the field. For over fifty years we have been at the forefront of knowledge and understanding about dyslexia. We set the standard for professional training and work closely with researchers to enable continued learning and development in our sector. We provide expert information and resources about dyslexia. Secondly, we engage widely with all stakeholders. We run a free helpline for the general public and regularly deliver events and webinars for groups or organisations to raise awareness and disseminate best practice. We liaise regularly with our members and work closely with our fantastic network of Local Dyslexia Associations who provide local knowledge and assistance. We collaborate with other organisations working in our sector to strengthen our approach.Finally, we empower people living with dyslexia. We support individuals seeking screening or assessment and help them to understand their statutory rights. We work with schools, employers and other organisations to encourage inclusive practice. We work with policymakers both locally and nationally to challenge the current status quo and call for changes that unlock the potential of our community. We welcome you on this journey with us as, together, we create a dyslexia-friendly society.

Our national Helpline provides free information and advice to people with dyslexia and those who support them. Ever year, we hear thousands of stories from members of the general public needing our help to turn the next page or start a new chapter.Help us raise funds so we can continue to provide this vital service free to all.DAW24 Focus - Fundraising for our Helpline11%Social Media Channelsvia email33%via phone56%enquiries viaour HelplineFunds a phone call sharing support strategies with an adult facing literacy difficulties.£10Funds support for up to six families desperately seeking advice on how to work with their schools to support their learners.£55Funds a live Q&A session on social media enabling us to reach a wider demographic. £72Helps fund training for four volunteers to join our Helpline team.£160If you would like to fundraise during Dyslexia Awareness Week, you will find useful resources on our website.Donate

#DAW24 Visual AssetsDAW24 logos available to download in .png and .jpeg for both print and online use to promote your own activities and events during awareness week.Download

#DAW24 ‘We’re supporting’During Dyslexia Awareness Week, we encourage you to share your own stories, to acknowledge different twists and turns that your life has taken and to highlight the possible challenges and celebrate the strengths. By sharing your support and/or the activities you are planning for #DAW24 we can reach more people with our message and help people understand their own stories better.We have put together a range of social media artwork that you can add your own logo to, or use as is, across your own channels to show your support for #DAW24.We’re supporting...We’re supporting (with logo space)DownloadDownload (with logo space)

#DAW24 Social MediaBDA Official ChannelsSocial Media copyText 1We’re proud to be supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024! 1 in 10 people have dyslexia each with a unique story of twists and turns to tell. It is never too late to change your story.#DAW24 #DyslexiaAwareness #WhatsYourStory #MyDyslexiaStoryText 2We’re proud to be supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024! Every individual’s story with dyslexia is different. I am sharing my story to speak out about dyslexia and encourage others. What’s your story? #DAW24 #DyslexiaAwarenessWeek24 #WhatsYourStory #MyDyslexiaStoryOfficial campaign Tags#DAW24#DyslexiaAwarenessWeek24#WhatsYourStory#MyDyslexiaStory

#DAW24 SpokespeopleLynn LovellBDA, Head of Professional StandardsFormer specialist teacher in secondary and FE/HE settings and an Acting SENCo. An experienced dyslexia and dyscalculia assessor with an Assessment Practising Certificate and AMBDA/AMBDA Dyscalculia. Amanda HornbyTraining ProfessionalAmanda has worked with secondary students with special needs since 2009. She is a qualified Specialist Dyslexia Tutor, is qualified to assess for Exam Access Arrangements.Helen GoodsallInformation and Knowledge ManagerHelen spend the first half of her career working in Marketing and Communications in large organisations. A qualified and experienced workplace needs assessor and a former supervisor on the BDA helpline. Helen is the mother of two dyslexic children.

Contact InformationBritish Dyslexia Association website:bdadyslexia.org.ukPrimary press contactJenny SteeleDL: 01344 381561Mobile: 07415 189259email: Media@bdadyslexia.org.ukBritish Dyslexia Association is a registered charity in England and Wales (289243). Registered in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (1830587).