Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand (DFNZ) was formed in November 2006 to provide a voice for, and services to, the estimated one in ten New Zealanders with dyslexia as well as to those supporting them.
DFNZ is recognised as the foremost lobby group for dyslexia in New Zealand. The DFNZ advocates for supporting neurodiversity in two key areas- Education and Justice.
DFNZ is a registered Charitable Trust, and New Zealand’s only national organisation focused specifically on dyslexia.
Dyslexia’s greatest difficulty is self-esteem – it only becomes a disability if not appropriately addressed. On the flipside, dyslexia can deliver great creative gifts, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dyslexic individuals tend to think in pictures rather than words, receiving and retrieving information in a different part of the brain to neurotypical, word-based thinkers. Dyslexia can also affect more than words alone, impacting skills such as auditory and information processing, planning and organising, motor skills, short-term memory and concentration.
Successfully addressing dyslexia is based on recognition, understanding and action, and DFNZ’s work is focused in these areas.
DFNZ has a twin focus on getting it right in the classroom and in the courts. This stems from the simple fact that the teenage years can be the breakpoint for those with learning differences.
The Dyslexia Foundation is a registered Charitable Trust. Based in Christchurch, with members throughout New Zealand, it is the only national organisation focused specifically on dyslexia. Most of our information services are provided online via our DFNZ and 4D websites, and through email.
With an estimated one in ten New Zealanders having dyslexia, including 70,000 school children, it’s vital that DFNZ has enough funds to continue working to drive recognition, understanding and action in this area.
DFNZ does not receive any funding from the Government. Our work is predominantly funded by generous support from our principal sponsor, the Cookie Time Charitable Trust. We also receive funds from private and community trusts and other support, including public donations from people like you.
