When do Beer and Dyslexia go together? When you’re dyslexic and studying to become a Master Brewer, of course! Meet Brian Murphy (@BrianBrewsBeer), who tweeted out to us last week: “I am dyslexic & a brewer & I would just like to give a shout out to @Learning_Ally for recording the first brewing education book for me.” 

At age 28, Brian is pursuing a Certificate in Brewing Science with the American Brewers Guild. Learning Ally volunteers and studio staff have been producing the audio textbooks he needs to accomplish his goal. We visited Brian at the popular Mad Fox Brewing Company in Falls Church, Virginia, where he began as a bartender and has been perfecting his craft ever since. As you might expect, the beer there is piped from tank to tap, and is mighty good!

Students with print disabilities who have access to audiobooks significantly outperform their peers in math tests, according to a recent study conducted by the national nonprofit Learning Ally.

Decoding Dyslexia- NJ, a parent group that currently meets at Learning Ally’s headquarters, has truly started a movement within the LD community, impacting NJ legislation over the past year and inspiring new chapters to start in states all across the country.  

Shelley Ball-Dannenberg is Learning Ally’s next special guest for the upcoming January 15 webinar. Shelley is a Certified Dyslexia Testing Specialist, author and parent. Along with her dyslexic daughter, Shelley co-authored a book: I have Dyslexia. What does that mean?

Register to hear Shelley review top accommodations found in a 504 Plan and explain how to effectively implement them at school and at home.

Professional voice model Anne Richardson elaborates on the pleasure she derives through volunteering as an audiobook narrator at Learning Ally’s Palo Alto studio. Learn more about volunteering at Learning Ally.

Some attitude shifts are decidedly welcome…

“A simple solution if your child has DYSLEXIA and struggles with homework: Learning Ally” Thanks to Siemens, more people can find out about the resources provided by Learning Ally. The poster is included on a digital screen at the Siemens VIP center at Disney World.

Around 60,000 visitors a year walk through Siemens VIP center where the Learning Ally message is currently posted digitally. The touch screen also offers interactive games and videos to engage guests.

“I Call them G.A.P.’s — ’God’s Amazing People’ “

South Korean-born Soonkyu Shin (better known as “SK”) came to the U.S. as a young, totally blind student — to pursue educational opportunities not available in his native country. At an early age, he became a member of Recording for the Blind (RFB, as Learning Ally was called back then), eventually succeeding through high school, an undergrad degree at Harvard, and graduate work at the Sloan Business School at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Today SK is a highly accomplished financial analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman — and a member of Learning Ally’s National Board of Directors.

On June 13, SK spoke to a gathering of Learning Ally volunteers, donors, staff and supporters — who were all there to celebrate the grand re-opening of the organization’s newly expanded accessible audiobook production studio in Princeton, New Jersey.

“Learning Ally’s audio textbooks saw me all the way through graduate school work at MIT… it’s a treat for me to come and speak to some of the volunteers who made that possible. You know, people do wonder how a blind kid from Korea, speaking very little English, could come to America and accomplish so much.

“All of you Learning Ally volunteers are part of my story. Even though you may be seeing me for the first time today, and I’ve never met many of you, chances are that I might have listened to your words and voices.  You are in my life just as much as the readers who read to me face-to-face.

“I think that people facing challenges in life can overcome those challenges in different ways — some people do that by sheer determination and hard work on their own. But many do it because others have worked hard and given up their time and talents to help them out.

“And I always have a name for such people:  I call them ‘God’s Amazing People’ or ‘G.A.P.s.’  It’s a special designation I give to them. Every one of Learning Ally’s volunteers, donors, staff, people who make such reality possible for people like myself — you are all ‘G.A.P.s’

“And I am very privileged to be associated with this organization; I’ve been on the Board of Directors since early 2011, and look forward to many more years of working with you to help more kids like myself.”

By Faith, Not By Sight is the name of a new book by American Idol finalist and long-time Learning Ally friend and member Scott MacIntyre — who recently wrote in with this update:

“It’s been a crazy couple of months releasing my book By Faith, Not By Sight, attending the American Idol red carpet finale, and wrapping up the Women of Faith One Day tour.  Our last tour date was at the Sears Center arena outside of Chicago, and in addition to those who attended, there were 17,000 people watching via a live simulcast in venues around the world.  Thanks so much to all of you for your incredible support!

“On July 7, I will be performing and talking about By Faith, Not By Sight on Huckabee, the Fox News TV show hosted by Gov. Mike Huckabee.  It’s going to be a great night, so be sure to tune in!

“Following the show, I will be joining the Michael W. Smith and Friends cruise along with Jeremy Camp, Audrey Assad, Sean Hannity, and others.  You can read all about the cruise and see the beautiful places we’ll be visiting here:

     http://www.inspirationcruises.com/mwscn

“We will be posting new tour dates very soon, so be sure to keep checking http://scottmacintyre.com/

“Wishing you all a great summer!” — Scott

Leslie and Nay Nay on photo shoot for Learning Ally. Leslie using iPad app enabling kids with dyslexia to enjoy reading.  Thanks to Learning Ally mom Lisa H. in Maryland for hosting the shoot.