Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes difficulties in how a person reads, writes, spells, does maths and their ability to process visual material. According to the Australian Dyslexia Association, dyslexia is estimated to affect 10% of the Australian population. Currently, many schools and most workplaces in Australia are not set up to support people with dyslexia. This is in spite of 1 in 10 people experiencing dyslexia or other learning difficulties.
There is much excitement that Dear Dyslexic Foundation have organised the first ever fundraising gala for adults with dyslexia. The gala aims to highlight the unexpressed struggles of those with dyslexia whilst raising awareness and hope for the dyslexic community.
The Dear Dyslexic Inaugural Gala will be held on Friday the 19th of October at Fenix Events, 680 Victoria Street, Richmond. Tickets are already available for purchase.
It is with great pride that the Centre for Adolescent Health (CAH) congratulates Dr Nola Firth, an honorary research fellow of The University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, for being the recipient of an inaugural industry award named in her honour; the Dr Nola Firth Outstanding Contribution to Dyslexia in Australia Award.
Q&A with Dr Nola Firth
What was your background prior to becoming a researcher and advocate?
I was originally a secondary teacher and special education consultant. I have worked for over 30 years with students who have learning disabilities (including dyslexia), their parents, teachers, and other professionals. I am also a past president of Learning Difficulties Australia.
What has been the main focus of your research?
My work has focused on research in the development and trial of school-based resilience programs and environments for those with dyslexia as well as advocacy work to raise informed awareness and support for people who have dyslexia. After completing my doctorate I worked at the CAH from 2006 – 2011 and I remain an Honorary Research Fellow at CAH as well as The University of Melbourne.
During your career, what have been some of your achievements?
I undertook a project funded by the Australian Research Council built on earlier research showing that successful life outcomes for people who have dyslexia depends not on the extent of the difficulty but on the ability of the person to cope with the situation. Outcomes included national and international journal and media articles, book chapters and a school-based dyslexia resilience program entitled ‘Success and Dyslexia’, published by the Australian Council of Educational Research.
While I was with the Centre for Adolescent Health, I was awarded a Churchill Fellowship which enabled me to investigate support for people who have dyslexia in the USA, Canada and the UK. In 2009 I became a member of the National Dyslexia Working Party and in 2014 I presented at the National Dyslexia Roundtable for Hon. Christopher Pyne, Minister for Education.
Do you think that dyslexia is becoming more recognised now with the creation of a gala and award by the Dear Dyslexic Foundation?
In Australia, dyslexia has lagged far behind many other western countries in informed awareness, diagnosis and support of people who have dyslexia. Over the years I have been working in the field I have seen the beginning of change, but much remains to be done especially with regard to workplace support for people who have dyslexia. I am particularly delighted that a dyslexia award has been established and that it is for a contribution to dyslexia within Australia.
The relatively recent establishment of the Dear Dyslexic Foundation is a significant development in itself and the award is a part of that.
Dear Dyslexic Foundation is unique in several ways. It focuses on people aged sixteen and over who have dyslexia and importantly, Shae Wissell, founder and CEO, has dyslexia herself.
I am delighted to be associated with a group of people who have taken such ownership of their situation. It is demonstrating a lived reality about resilience and life success for people who have dyslexia. I am of course also highly honoured to have the award bear my name.
The event
Dr Nola Firth, receving her inaugural industry award (Dr Nola Firth Outstanding Contribution to Dyslexia in Australia Award) from Hon Colin Brooks MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.