THE MONTH of October is and a national organisation called the “Code Read Dyslexic Network” promote awareness and education on Dyslexia.

This organisation was first established in May 2015 with its members comprising of a dedicated group of Australians that are aware that children with dyslexia are being failed by the education system.

Throughout Australia children with Dyslexia are not being recognised as requiring extra assistance to learn. The “Code Read Dyslexic Network” has a vision to have equal opportunity, understanding and acknowledgment for all with dyslexia. The organisation supports people with dyslexia and their families by encouraging and empowering. Their mission is to raise awareness on dyslexia by working with government entities and the like to improve the education system and workplaces for those with dyslexia.

The Code Read Dyslexic Network focus is early screening of literacy difficulties of children in preschool as well as a phonics assessment in year one as well as the education system using current evidence-based teaching practices to accommodate children with dyslexia. The organisation believes that all educators in schools should be aware and have knowledge and training in identifying children who may have dyslexia. The organisation’s branding of the coloured red symbolises power, passion, and positive change. It also signifies those children who struggle daily in schools and fear when their work is corrected in red ink.

Currently the education system is not accommodating those children with dyslexia, and they are failing there needs to learn. There is at least a 20% failure rate on methods of teaching reading. In Australia 70,000 year 4 students per year are not competent in reading. While 21% of 15-year-old teens are baseline capable. There is also a connection between mental health and literacy difficulties. It is apparent that both the education system and society is not structured to assist those with dyslexia. Another aspect is spelling and those who have dyslexia avoid this as it can be embarrassing for the individual. A person with dyslexia will often avoid situations when they are required to write.

Regrettably society sometimes discriminate, and judge intelligence based on errors in spelling and automatically it is presumed that the person is not capable or intelligent which is not the case. Those with dyslexia have an equal right to literacy unfortunately for those individuals to learn the system has not designed the content with them in mind. This then becomes a human rights issue as dyslexia disadvantages those by denying and neglecting those individuals.

For those in the community that are interested in participating in the ‘Get Onboard for Dyslexia’ Campaign can contact the Code Read Dyslexic Network. The aim is to encourage those that are impacted by dyslexia.

The campaign is designed to promote a world that is easy to navigate successfully for those with dyslexia. The organisation is asking for all schools to participate by designing a creative interpretation of an airplane that enhances equal opportunity and empowerment for people with dyslexia.

There are organisations that can assist you no matter where you are located, and Code Read Dyslexic Network can put you in contact with the relevant people. You can visit their website at www.codereadnetwork.org or alternatively by email [email protected].

Roborn the Rose