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DYSLEXIA

The inability to decipher words is NOT an untreatable condition.

 

I know. I am dyslexic.

But I am very concerned that children in Somerset are getting short shrift when it comes to proper help. There is a real obligation on the local education authority - Somerset County Council - to provide the very best assistance available.

Is this really happening? What is the situation in other local authorities?

Many people have already written to me and attended surgeries complaining about the way their children are been treated. But Somerset County Council boasts that it has been awarded a "Quality" rating from the British Dyslexia Association. This award was granted in 2005. Much has changed since then. Spending cuts and policy changes have hampered many of the services designed to help children with special educational needs. 

The BDA has investigated Somerset County Council afresh. The result (and you heard it here first) is that Somerset has "withdrawn" from the BDA's quality scheme. No doubt Somerset will say that its decision was enitirely voluntary. No doubts pigs can fly!

Meanwhile..........I have launched an All Party Parliamentary Group to represent the cause of Dyslexia wihin Parliament. The inaugural meeting was held on May 23rd 2007. The group already has 59 members from the Commons and the Lords. Many more have expressed a genuine interest in taking part in the future. I want to get Dyslexia high on the political agenda. I want this condition properly understood by the decision makers in Whitehall and Town Halls the length and breadth of the UK..

 

 

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Many worthy organisations have well-developed websites to keep the public informed. But a brand new one deserves special mention. Action4SEN was established by a group of parents seriously and rightly concerned about the way funding in Somerset is being syphoned away from needy SEN and Dyslexia cases. They deserve support and help. I am happy to link my site to theirs:

Action4SEN has done a great deal to highlight the way in which Somerset County Council distributes public money. Cuts of 40 per cent were recently being considered. Cuts are still on the cards. And if you don't believe me then you might be convinced when you read the document prepared by Somerset's own internal axeman: READ IT HERE

 

 

There are, of course, many other extremely useful websites which will be added as I find them or as people point them out to me:

   
  ©2003,2004 Ian Liddell-Grainger. All rights reserved. www.somersetwest.org.uk