The potential of this campaign is huge. When teachers and schools are more aware, so many children are closer to getting the help they need, and I can only imagine the positive impact this will have on their lives.
Geneva, Switzerland (PRWEB UK) 17 October 2013
Mila Publishing Sarl, publisher of the popular Maks & Mila children's books, has become a corporate sponsor for “Unlocking Dyslexia: IDA has the Key,” a national awareness campaign by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).
In support of Dyslexia Awareness Month, IDA is holding this awareness campaign and fundraising event to provide a dyslexia resource kit to every public elementary school in the United States. Currently, there are limited resources available to public elementary school teachers related to dyslexia and other learning differences.
The kit, Dyslexia in the Classroom: What Every Teacher Needs to Know, will help raise awareness, share best practices, and be a resource to the school’s administration and staff to help every child reach their fullest potential.
“The IDA is so thankful to Mila Publishing Sarl for becoming the first corporate sponsor for ‘Unlocking Dyslexia.’ By helping us put these essential resources in the hands of teachers, we are making a big difference in the lives of children who struggle with reading,” said IDA Interim Executive Director, Kristen Penczek. “The biggest concern we hear from parents is that the teachers assigned to help their child in school know little to nothing about dyslexia. Without the basic understanding of what dyslexia is, what it isn’t, and the signs, symptoms, and next steps involved, they are paralyzed.”
"Reading and writing are in my opinion fundamental rights. Yet in today's society, most of the children with dyslexia don't get the necessary assistance to help them to enjoy this right. For me this is shocking, especially knowing that most of those children can be helped to read and write well if identified at an early stage,” said Merel Bakker, author and founder of Mila Publishing Sarl.
"The potential of this campaign is huge. When teachers and schools are more aware, so many children are closer to getting the help they need, and I can only imagine the positive impact this will have on their lives,” she added. “That is priceless and closely connected to what the children's books Maks & Mila and their Secret Suitcase app are trying to contribute to."
One in 10 people have symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing or mixing up similar words. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability, and contrary to some beliefs, it is not due to either lack of intelligence or a desire to learn. In fact, with appropriate teaching methods, people with dyslexia can and do learn successfully.
IDA’s goal is to get these kits to every public elementary school principal on November 1. From October 1-31, people can donate online http://www.interdys.org or by mail to make sure that each of the more than 54,000 elementary schools across the United States has this vital resource in their hands.*
“Every dollar raised will provide one resource kit to one public elementary school in the United States,” said Penczek. “One dollar might not be a significant amount of money, but it has the potential to make a huge difference in the life of a child who struggles with dyslexia.”
For more information or to make a donation, please go to http://www.interdys.org.
*According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 54,041 elementary schools as of the 2010-2011 school year. Final number of schools reached will be available in November.
About IDA
The International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia as well as related language-based learning differences. The IDA operates 43 branches throughout the United States and Canada and has global partners in 20 countries, including Australia, Brazil, England, Germany, Ireland, and Japan.
About Mila Publishing Sarl:
Mila Publishing Sarl is Swiss-based publishing company that seeks to raise awareness of dyslexia and develop Joy and Self-Confidence in children’s lives. Mila Publishing Sarl donates 1 out of every 6 books sold to Books With No Bounds, which distributes the books to children and schools who need our support.
For additional information please contact Lisa Harlow of Clapp Communications at (410) 561-8886 or via email at lisa(at)barbclapp(dot)com.
For press inquiries for Mila Publishing, please contact Mila Publishing Sarl at press(at)mila-publishing(dot)com.