2024: Dallas, Texas
Thank you for visiting our poster presentation at the 2024 Annual IDA Reading, Literacy and Learning Conference. Last year, PC READS celebrated 10 years of making a difference in our community of Park City, Utah. The purpose of this poster presentation is to provide examples of successful events and provide tangible action items to others who seek to positively impact their communities. We hope to inspire collaboration among schools, families, and community organizations with a goal of providing the support and resources necessary to empower dyslexic students to reach their full potential.
If interested in following our work, you can join our mailing list and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We strive to keep our website updated and welcome input.
Collaborate with local schools, parent organizations and other community groups to share information about the science of reading, including early literacy skills, structured literacy and reading disabilities.
PC READS: To share information about structured literacy and to bring attention to our students’ literacy needs, we have given presentations on early literacy skills to parents, held outreach tables and attended PTO meetings. Presentations on early literacy skills include the following topics:
- 5 Areas of Reading
- Simple View of Reading
- Scarborough’s Rope
- Emily Hanford’s Podcasts
- Structured Literacy
- Parent Tips
- Recognizing a Struggling Reader
TAKE ACTION: Ask to host a literacy table during back to school nights or at other community events. Offer to give a 5-10 minute overview on this topic at a PTO meeting. Your focus areas will depend upon the status of reading instruction in your school, so become knowledgable about current curriculum, including interventions. Is it based in the science of reading or is change needed? If the school is in the process of implementing new materials, it might welcome your support in disseminating information to parents.
Share opportunities for professional development, including conferences and resource books, and consider offering local scholarships.
PC READS: We have a rolling Professional Development Grant application for local teachers and tutors, which supports professional development opportunities, such as conferences, webinars, certification programs, or relevant materials. A few of our favorite online conferences to share with educators are Learning Ally’s Spotlight on Dyslexia, DTI’s Annual Dyslexia Virtual Conference and our local Wasatch Reading Summit. We have also supported courses through Glean Education’s Online Learning Academy. Additionally, we offer educators the opportunity to order free resources relevant to their pursuit of knowledge in the areas of teaching reading and understanding reading disabilities. See our book list here.
TAKE ACTION: Do you know a teacher who wants to learn more? Offer to sponsor their attendance at an affordable, online conference. Make a list of professional development opportunities into a handout you can bring to teacher conferences and/or use at outreach events.
Organize local and national experts for community presentations.
PC READS: In 2014, we held our first community event, Literacy Elevated at All Levels. Our local pediatrician’s office co-sponsored and moderated the event, which included a short presentation, followed by a panel that included local tutors and a pediatric neuropsychologist. Since then, we have hosted presentations by local experts on topics including anxiety and learning disabilities. As we began to regularly attend IDA Conferences, we sought out national experts and have hosted the following:
- Margie Gillis, Raising a Reader (2024)
- Tracy Coffin, 504U College Admissions Counseling (2023)
- Louisa Moats, Teaching (and Learning) Reading is Rocket Science (2022)
- Elizabeth Hamblett, Educational Evaluations: How to Make Reports More Helpful for Students Headed to College (2021)
- Marilyn Zecher, Why Some Students Struggle in Math and What We Can Do About It (2021 – Virtual)
- Peter Wright, Wrightslaw Conference (2020 – Virtual)
- Jonathan Mooney, Different ≠ Deficient (2019)
- Dean Bragonier, The Golden Age of Dyslexia (2018)
- Barbara Wilson, Navigating Reading Success (2017)
TAKE ACTION: Start small and organize a community presentation on literacy. Seek out a panel of local experts, including educators, and cover topics relevant to your community. Marketing the event to all parents typically brings a larger audience.
Host film screenings, including recent releases.
PC READS: One of our first events was collaborating with our local film organization, Park City Film, to show Harvey Hubbell’s film, Dislecksia: The Film, after seeing it screened at an IDA Conference. Following the film, we had a panel of local individuals who are dyslexic share their stories. This event actually led us to a donor who ended up funding our Dyslexia Initiative, which brought Structured Literacy to our school district. We’ve collaborated with Park City Film the past two years to show: The Truth About Reading (2023) and The Disruptors (2024). Our film screenings have brought between 150-250 community attendees — spreading awareness and encouraging conversation. To encourage attendance, we’ve invited local educators to a free, pre-film wine & cheese reception.
TAKE ACTION: The cost to screen a movie is often very small relevant to the impact film has on the audience. Partner with a school (public or private) or a local film organization (or really anywhere that has screening capabilities) to bring a movie to your community. Consider hosting a panel discussion afterwards.
Coordinate a fun student event about self-advocacy skills in a social setting.
PC READS: Our MIND Youth Program holds several social and educational events during the school year including our popular Self-Advocacy Workshop. We hosted our first event years ago at a bowling alley and found that parents also enjoyed the opportunity to chat among each other. We have opened these events to all students with learning differences who would benefit from the activities and our older students help plan the events as MIND Mentors. Events have included pottery painting, tubing, and cookie decorating.
TAKE ACTION: Start by bringing a group of students with learning differences together for a fun activity. Plan an ice-breaker and if you have a few older students, ask them to share their story with the younger students: When did they get diagnosed? Did they go to tutoring? What accommodations do they use in school?
Share resources, including state dyslexia handbooks, at IEP and 504 meetings.
PC READS: Our Certified Advocates often accompany families to school meetings and bring a selection of books to offer to the educators at the table. The book selections vary, but include novels like Fish in a Tree, as well as our state dyslexia handbook. To see the book lists from which we choose selections, click here.
TAKE ACTION: Start bringing books you think are helpful to your IEP or 504 meetings and make the offer at the end of the meeting as a “thank you gift.” If possible, make printed copies of your state dyslexia handbook, as having something physical to present seems to be more effective.
Offer tailored presentations on topics such as reading disabilities, structured literacy or accommodations to community groups, including schools and other organizations.
PC READS: As part of our 2016 Dyslexia Initiative, we were given the opportunity to present to teachers at the local elementary school that was piloting Wilson Fundations. Since then, we have given similar presentations to other schools, as well as mother’s groups, Rotary Clubs, and at a local gym’s “lunch & learn.” Topics in these presentations included:
- Dyslexia Basics
- Characteristics of Dyslexia
- Coexisting Disabilities
- Student Support (Intervention & Accommodations)
- News & Resources
TAKE ACTION: Collaborate with a local school to give a presentation to parents or educators. Local Rotary Clubs often seek out presenters on interesting topics, so reach out and ask!
Complete an advocacy training course to gain knowledge and esteem.
PC READS: Our co-founders completed DTI’s Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program to better advocate for their own children. Quickly, community members recognized their knowledge and often approached them for advice in grocery stores. This led to PC READS developing a formal Advocate Program. This year, we have 6 Certified Advocates providing free assistance to families, including a dyslexia screening. Last year, we assisted over 100 students and screened 45 students ranging in age from 7-17. We are grateful for local grants and individual donations enabling us to provide this service at no cost.
TAKE ACTION: Complete DTI’s Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program to gain knowledge and confidence as you advocate for your student. Find a friend to take the course alongside you, so that you have someone to discuss material with as you learn.
Research current laws and advocate for implementation.
PC READS: Currently, our Executive Director is a member of the Utah Literacy Coalition, which is seeking to ensure that 2022 Utah legislation (S.B. 127 Early Literacy Outcomes Improvement) is implemented effectively. This coalition also successfully advocated for a definition of dyslexia to be added back into law (H.B. 296 Reading Disabilities Amendment).
TAKE ACTION: Laws around reading instruction and screening for dyslexia are changing across the United States. Take a look at this website to learn more about your state’s current laws. If legislation is being considered, advocate for it by reaching out to your state representatives.
Host a support group, write articles, and use social media.
PC READS: Our organization started in 2014 around a kitchen table. That first meeting was posted in a local newspaper and signs were hung at a local tutor’s place of business. At that time, it was unimaginable that we would grow into a fully functioning nonprofit organization. Our history can be followed through the articles in this link.
TAKE ACTION: Start small! Gather a few parents (and maybe some teachers) together for coffee and discussion. Write an article for a local news outlet during Dyslexia Awareness Month. Use social media to spread awareness about facts, professional development opportunities, and events.
