The future for Dyslexia
In 1996 William Ford and Steve Wright made suggestions and recommendations to Birmingham Central Library. The group then had numerous workshops and debates the results of which were developed into a list of recommendations and conclusions by Stephen Duffy and Teresa Perrot. I take this opportunity to say thank you to the above named persons in this article and all the badg members that took part in this research.
Download the recommendations and conclusions here
In late 2004, early 2005 William Ford and Stephen Duffy continued to make recommendations to the Central Library. Mid 2005 the Central Library appointed a dyslexics children's group to co-ordinate and put together the views of dyslexics. We are currently awaiting their reports and findings.
Aims and Objectives for badg
We aim to improve the lives of dyslexics in the real areas of day-to-day living.
In 1995 with the introduction of the disability act, which covered dyslexia and reasonable adjustment, badg has been endeavouring to seek improvements in services provided by Birmingham City Council, one of these services being the Library. Since 1995 we have made recommendations to improve this service, which fell on deaf ears. In the latter part of the 1990's we repeated our initial recommendations and were successful in a number of areas. This had a positive impact on the group.
In approximately 2003 the library stepped back and we lost nearly all concessions and gains previously made. The group once more took up the challenge to reinstate the old concessions and new ones. One of those was to get the library to install text scanning, reading software and screen readers. We wait to see if this is taken on board and to see if the Central Library improves its services. To end on a positive note in this area we have been more successful with the Selly Oak Library and the four surrounding wards that are attempting to implement some of our recommendations.
Another initiative of badg is to improve the general accessibility of information by asking for all areas of government and local council information to be placed on audio as well as in the written form. We are having slow but positive progress in this area. Also in the past many dyslexics within and outside of our group have come up with good ideas and strategies in all areas of society and have freely given these to other organisations and groups. They have never been given recognition or credit for this. badg will give credit to any articles or successes that individuals have achieved. Send us your successes now.
There are lots of areas where the group can ask and fight for improvements but these challenges will be taken up when we move into our new office.
Watch this space for the positive impact badg has on society.
Dictated by William Ford chairperson of badg.
Written by an able bodied writer.
