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As we head towards Christmas it’s a great time to remind ourselves that small things can make a huge difference and that by working together we can achieve so much more than when we work alone.

Dyslexia Foundation’s ongoing work is about helping people make simple changes to improve the learning, living and working environments for New Zealanders with dyslexia. A big focus of this is our 4D schools programme which provides guidance on changes that help dyslexic children thrive, some  as simple as using a dyslexic friendly font, or giving verbal instructions rather than written. The 4D name extends the common perception of three dimensions and likens the fourth dimension to the dyslexic way of thinking that can bring creative gifts, not just learning challenges.

With simplicity and action in mind, we are always looking for creative ideas which help make life easier for all dyslexics. Take our 60 second challenge and have your say!

60 second challenge - with a chance to enjoy some Christmas Cookies!!


Help us shape our plans for 2011 – take 60 seconds right now and reply to our email with 3 small changes that have been made in your school, home or workplace to make a BIG difference to the lives of those affected by dyslexia. Or tell us the 3 small changes that should be made and why.

10 lucky winners, randomly drawn, will win a couple of buckets of Cookie Time Christmas Cookies, couriered to you courtesy of our principal sponsor – Cookie Time Charitable Trust.





 

Taste good, do good!


For the third year in a row, money from every bucket of Cookie Time Christmas Cookies sold will again be used to help Kiwi kids with dyslexia, through Cookie Time Charitable Trust which supports our ongoing work.
   

More than $1 million has been raised for the Trust so far, and $1.5 million is now in sight. Sweet! Click here for a fun view from the cookie factory – and see if you can catch the cookies as they fly off the conveyor belt!

And, if you fancy a bucket or two of cookies, please feel free to call 0800 XCOOKIE (0800 9266543) or click here to get a seller to visit your work.



 

 

One Man's Dream – the popular video about John Britten now remastered and available on DVD for Christmas 2010. Order now - visit www.britten.co.nz. And see below for news on John’s daughter Jess – another design talent who had her first Fashion Week show recently!







Christmas comes early for the Dyslexia Foundation


 

 


Thanks to the Sovereign Insurance team and their Sovereign Sunshine initiative the DFNZ has receive $7,906.90.

For details about this initiative and what they did to raise this donation - click here.



 

When Kiwi musicians Don McGlashan, Sean Donnelly and dDub teamed up to raise awareness and understanding of dyslexia in NZ through the wonderful song "The closer you get, the bigger I look" we thought that was generosity with a capital G........ but then a royalty cheque arrived for $600 - double thanks guys!



 

Did you know that NZ Post support a range of projects that bring the joy of words and reading into New Zealander's lives?

What a joy it was when 1500 postage paid envelopes arrived on our doorstep - thanks NZ Post!






Look good, do good!

Dyslexia Foundation has become one of the featured charities on a fantastic new fashion website, where designer clothes are auctioned to raise money for charity. Check out our first auction here.

Just launched this month, the site is a great way for people to clear out their wardrobes, sell their pre-loved designer items, and choose a percentage to give to charity, from 20% to 50% or 100%. There is no listing or registration fee, only a success fee if a sale is made.






 

From Wellington and planning a Christmas cocktail party?? 

Thanks to the good folk at the Simply Food Catering Companyin Wellington, we have a cocktail party for 50 available to the highest bidder. Worth $1000, and going, going… to the highest bidder over $500 - with 100% of the proceeds being a donation to the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand.

BUY NOW for $1000 or more – first email received with an offer of $1000 or more gets this prize guaranteed OR - email us with your highest offer over $500 by Thursday December 2.

Email us now at info@dfnz.org.nz

This offer can be redeemed anytime up to the end of 2011 (subject to Simply Foods not having a prior commitment at the same time).






Young New Zealanders making it happen!



 

 

Check out our latest inspiring New Zealander - James Lassche NZ Representative Rower.



 

The Britten design talent is moving into fashion - Jess Britten – daughter of Kirsteen and the late John Britten – hits the headlines. In recent months she has produced her first Fashion Week show, click here to read more and also won the Westpac Young Fashion Designer Award,click here to read about this.

You can also see another of her winning designs, for sister Isabelle at Christchurch Cup Day, by clicking here.





Also making News - International - Celebrity - New Zealand



 

 

Dyslexia in the Workplace: Disability or Talent? - UK

Is the disability framework for understanding dyslexia actually harming dyslexic interests rather than furthering them?  ..... read more



 

Dyslexia fight may go to Supreme Court - Canada


A North Vancouver father is hoping to appeal his case against the North Vancouver school district and the Ministry of Education to the Supreme Court of Canada after losing his latest legal fight over whether the school district did enough to help his son -- who has dyslexia -- when he was an elementary school student...... read more


 

How to spot the signs and support dyslexic employees - UK


Sharon Goldie, consultant at iansyst Ltd (www.re-adjust.co.uk), looks at how employers can recognise the warning signs that an employee may be dyslexic and provides some simple steps for your organisation to ensure a dyslexic-friendly workplace...... read more


 

New research from Middlesex University in the UK........has shown a link between dyslexia and improved ability to judge space and process 3D visual information - a link the researchers suggested could explain the artistic ability of famous artists Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Auguste Rodin.

Click here for the full article.


 

Theo Paphitis of Dragon's Den fame talks of his battle with dyslexia - UK


Paphitis warned there is a danger of neglecting vocational experience and training for the "university at all costs" mentality.

When I interview people and get sent CVs I've ended up taking them on with possibly the least of the qualifications. It's important to put as much of your character forward -  not just how many A-levels you've got. I certainly don't just look for qualifications. People think if they send in their name, address and qualifications it entitles them to a job. All it says to me is you can remember some things - it doesn't say your personality, skills or character.

He added: I left school with a certificate for colouring in maps. I wasn't thick - I just suffered from dyslexia and had not been diagnosed. When I became a millionaire, then I went from thick to dyslexic! 

Click here for full article.



 

Sir Ken Robinson - Changing Education Paradigms..... a very cool animation to support some gems from Sir Ken - click here


 

DYSLEXIA and ART… Scottish based artist Terry Adams breaks new ground with a series of six painting based on visual concepts of dyslexia.

Created and exhibited for Dyslexia awareness week in Edinburgh 2010. In conjunction with Dyslexia Scotland.

Pictures can be seen here.


 

The Shed Magazine - Dyslexia: a way of thinking - NZ

A fantastic and informative local article that features lots of stories about talented New Zealanders

For the full article - click here.






Featured Poem – Errors in Night Sky

Sometimes poetry can capture the essence of our experiences, emotions and hopes in a way that is just right. It can give us that ‘ah-hah’ moment, it can entertain and it can cause us to reflect a little more than usual. It can reassure us that we are not alone.

Dunedin poet Jenny Powell has published six volumes of poetry, and over the years she has written poems about dyslexia and its effects on her son. Look out for more poems in future newsletters.

Jenny says: I chose this poem as an introduction to my son. It captures the struggle of my son trying to get things right, and how I deal with my inability to do what mothers want to do and make it all better.



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