Meetings

Conference Circuit: Literacy Challenges

The International Dyslexia Association’s 2015 Annual Conference is set to start next week in Texas.

The International Dyslexia Association’s 2015 Annual Conference is set to start next week in Texas.

More than 2,000 educators, administrators, reading specialists, researchers, psychologists, physicians, tutors, and parents will make their way to Grapevine, Texas, to hear the latest research and developments about dyslexia, literacy, critical reading, vocabulary, spelling, and language disorders.

Association:  International Dyslexia Association

Conference:  2015 Annual Conference

Venue: Texan Gaylord Resort & Convention Center

Location: Grapevine, Texas

IDA 2015 will begin on Wednesday with two full-day and four half-day symposia. Following a day’s worth of learning, the IDA Conference Kickoff will happen that evening. IDA’s president, executive director, and conference chair will speak, and then Geraldine Tinsey Miller will be awarded the IDA Presidential Award of Excellence for her work championing dyslexia and literacy law in Texas. Also on the agenda:

Family friendly. This year’s meeting features something for all ages. Its two-day Family Conference offers parents and family members of those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities the opportunity to attend sessions, network with experts, and socialize with other parents. And for those ages 5-11, there’s IDA’s first children’s workshop. Not only does it feature a magic show but also a talk from 19-year-old college student Will Marsh, who will share his experiences with dyslexia.

Young Picassos. The meeting’s Youth Art Gallery highlights the artistic talents of students with dyslexia and other related learning disabilities over the course of the four-day event. Students under 22 can submit their artwork, which will also be considered for other opportunities for display—including in the IDA offices—and publication in the future.

Field trip. Attendees often learn best by seeing their colleagues in action. That’s why the meeting is offering them the chance to go on two tours: one to the campus of Southern Methodist University and the other to both the Shelton School and Wylie Independent School District. On the SMU tour, participants will experience the technology the university uses to train teachers; the second tour will offer a glimpse into the largest learning disability school in the world.

Check in on the meeting via Twitter (#DyslexiaCon), Facebook, and Instagram.

(iStock/Thinkstock)

Samantha Whitehorne

By Samantha Whitehorne

Samantha Whitehorne is editor-in-chief of Associations Now. MORE

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