Action dyslexia-Beyond Education-A Campaign Against Dyslexia
A South Delhi-based NGO counsels and guides the children with learning diabilities
Tweet-- Five years ago, parents of Shubhang Rathi, a student of fifth standard at Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj were in a fix because Shubhang was not performing well in academics and was lagging behind in the class. Neither they were aware of the problem nor they knew why their son could not spell properly and found no difference between 'b', 'd' and 'p'. Even teachers at school were unable to help Shubhang.
They kept on struggling with the problem until they met the members of Action Dyslexia--Beyond Education, a Delhi-based NGO, the first ever NGO in India for the children with dyslexia. Then, they came to know that Shubhang has a learning disorder called dyslexia which leads the sufferers having difficulty in learning to read and spell despite having average or above average intelligence.
Action Dyslexia--Beyond Education counseled Shubhang and trained him to deal with his problem. Counseling by NGO teachers and Shubhang's hard work really worked and last year, he passed secondary examination of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) along with other students of regular schools.
Set up in 1997, Action Dyslexia--Beyond Education offers an active platform for the children with dyslexia. The NGO was initiated by Raajeev Bhatt, an educationist and Anjuli Bawa, a lady who had gone through the tribulations of being a parent of a dyslexic child. Under umbrella of Action Dyslexia, Bhatt and Bawa not only established a helpline for dyslex children but also fought for the right to an amanuensis, or a scribe, for dyslexic children taking national high school exams.
Action Dyslexia--Beyond Education counsels the children with learning disabilities and also helps them to fight against these problems. Also the NGO works towards creating awareness among students, parents, principals and teachers in the schools about about learning disorders. Counselors at the organisation identify the children with dyslexia and take them to their training center. They also guide the parents to deal with the dyslexia. Based on continuous research, activists at Action Dyslexia also develop special visual and techniques for dyslex children.
Bhatt, Director, Action Dyslexia--Beyond Education says, "Dyslexia is not a disease but a learning disorder which causes reading and writing disability among the children. The problem is that Indian schools do not have programmes to help children with learning disabilities, and also teachers are not trained to deal with such problems. We aim at helping these children to identify their disability and to remove it on their own. In the similar way, we encouraged Shubhang to overcome his problem and study in a mainstream school with other students."
A grateful Shobha Rathi, Shubhang's mother says, "With dedicated efforts, constant moral support and motivation provided by Raajeev Bhatt and his team, Shubhang could get over his disabilities. I am really thankful to Action Dyslexia for its invaluable contribution to my son's life."
The problem of dyslexia was recently brought into public focus by media especially Aamir Khan's movie 'Taare Zameen Per' created much awareness on the issue. According to health reports world wide, millions of children suffer from Dyslexia in the world. In India more than 90 million people suffer from learning disabilities. There is no total cure but the effects of dyslexia can be alleviated by skilled specialist teaching and committed learning.
Notes to Editor
About Action Dyslexia-Beyond Education
Action Dyslexia-Beyond Education has been working aggressively for children with dyslexia since 1997. The main aim of the NGO is to spread awareness on dyslexia and train children so that they can study in mainstream schools. Action Dyslexia is instrumental in advancing dyslexia awareness amongst the member of society including students, teachers and parents.
The NGO was established by Raajeev Bhatt, an educationist and Anjuli Bawa, a dynamic lady who has gone through the tribulations of being a parent of a dyslexic child. After many years of searching on their part, they came to understand that one of Bawa's children was a dyslexic. Working together, they made history when after a long drawn battle with the concerned authorities, they were allowed to provide a scribe for Bawa's son during the board exams - a first ever in the history of North India. This is the result of their unmatchable endeavours that today Bawa's son has become a successful professional in hospitality sector.
Action Dyslexia-Beyond Education counsels the children with learning disabilities and also guides them to get over these problems. Also the organisation holds various seminars and workshops to create awareness among students, parents, principals and teachers in the schools about about learning disorders. Counselors at the organisation identify the children with dyslexia and take them to their training center. They also guide the parents to deal with the dyslexia. Based on continuous research, activists at Action Dyslexia develop special visual, learning aids and techniques for dyslexia children.
Currently, Bhatt along with his team of special counselors and trainers conducts special classes in Tagore International School, New Delhi for children with learning disabilities. In these classes, counselors teach the students with help of scientific techniques to improve the concentration level of these students. Specially developed audio-visual aids are used to improve memory and retention power. Every month, Action Dyslexia team organises various workshops and camps in schools.
Professionals, retired government officials and social activists from all walks of life are members of Action Dyslexia-Beyond Education. So far Action Dyslexia has helped hundreds of students in their fight against dyslexia.