learningally

What do young school kids love to do when they come home in the afternoon?Play outside, of course. But it was different for Keith Amundsen, who has dyslexia and other processing disorders. He struggled with reading and remembers his parents having to re-teach the day’s lessons to him when he came home — “Basically it was like I would come home and have to go to school, again.”

Today this 18-year old from Staten Island is relishing his freshman year at State University of New York, Oswego, pursuing courses in graphic design and management information systems, and singing in the popular student performance ensemble, “Vocal Effect.” As a Learning Ally National Achievement Award winner, he’ll be coming with his family to Washington, DC this week to accept his award, meet the media and talk up LD advocacy with public officials. Keith and his fellow NAA winners represent Learning Ally’s mission in action. You’ll meet all of them here in coming days.See More

Since he was blinded and wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, retired Marine Michael Jernigan has immersed himself in education, been featured in an HBO documentary (“Alive Day”), gotten married, graduated from college and started working a full time job. This April at The Newseum in Washington, DC, he will be honored at Learning Ally’s National Achievement Awards. We visited Mike at his workplace on the campus of Southeastern Guide Dogs, to capture a video story on his life and experiences. Semper fidelis!

DYSLEXIA: TRANSLATING THE 504 PLAN INTO EFFECTIVE ACTION

A free webinar with Shelley Ball-Dannenberg

January 15, 1:00 EST Click the photo for details/registration

Talk about making the grade…This just in from Melanie Struthers Bryant on the Learning Ally Facebook wall:

“Thank you for all that you do to help myself and others. After joining and getting my textbook on audio I went from a low C to an A in just 5 weeks. Thank you!”

Pass me the earbud, mate. Leslie (dyslexic) shows her friend NayNay how to use the Learning Ally Audio app for listening to audiobooks on her iPad. The app is free to Learning Ally members at the iTunes Store. These are real kids, not models, by the way. Real photographer too (thank you, Rick Reinhard).

Germinating a Reading Community — Students with learning disabilities like dyslexia are reading like gangbusters in the classrooms of Woodlynde School, thanks to teachers who know how to make them feel part of ”a reading community” — using accessible audiobooks and assistive tech provided by Learning Ally. In this videoprofile, Woodlynde teachers and students explain what makes the program so successful.

The dunce corner may be a thing of the past, but many of our dyslexic members know the stigma that comes with being forced to sit at the “slow reading table” in class. Learning Ally is glad to assist in creating a right environment for kids who learn differently.

Some attitude shifts are decidedly welcome…

From Faith in Ohio:

“I have dyslexia and, while in my 40s, I decided I wanted to try to go to college (one of my dreams). If it wasn’t for Learning Ally, I would be up a creek. I was reading 6 and 7 hours a day, every day of the week, trying to get 1 or 2 chapters read in each class. Now I have Learning Ally and I can sit back and hear a comforting voice help me with my reading assignments. Thank you to Learning Ally and all their God ordained and thoroughly blessed volunteers~!! Without you, a lot of Good People wouldn’t be able to live out their dream for college and a better future.”

“People who are blind can be a blessing for the rest of the world.”

Looking for insight into how valuable accessible audio textbooks can be for blind people who have academic and professional aspirations? Listen in on a far-reaching conversation with Dr. Charles Walker — counselor educator, scholar, college professor, public speaker, assistive technology trainer, tireless advocate for people with disabilities, and long time Learning Ally member. A towering figure with a warm demeanor and endless stories to share, Walker has been quietly redefining what blind people can do and be.

Read his interview on the Learning Ally Blog.