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I am an educator of educators. I teach others how to be the best teachers. But, I’m also different. I have learning challenges. I found my way and my life’s calling thanks to dedicated educators. As we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), I am reminded of my personal journey. My disabilities could have defined me. But they did not. I do not consider myself dyslexic or learning-disabled. I am Jim. And here’s the story of how I overcame my challenges and the educators who helped me along the way.
February 27, 2017
0 CommentsIf you're a fantasy lover, you'll know how great mythical creatures can be. They can be menace or hero, evil or saintly. And they are so cool. They have fascinating histories and many variations, and it's always interesting to see how authors bring them to life in their stories.
February 21, 2017
0 CommentsThis Valentine’s Day will once again see a celebration of love. Unfortunately for many people with learning disabilities, this is just a dream. Although they may want to be in a relationship, they are often faced with barriers and challenges that prevent them finding what many take for granted. But specialised dating agencies can help to provide the support they need to meet new people and find romance.
February 14, 2017
0 CommentsGoing to university can be a test for anyone, fresh, or not-so-fresh from school. Students are not only expected to adapt to independent study and increased reading loads, but they also have to learn as soon as possible how to “do” the kind of academic writing and academic talk their given field demands. And for those students with dyslexia, this can be particularly challenging.
December 5, 2016
0 CommentsThe more you find out about the history of disability and the associated language used, the more eye-opening it becomes. It wasn't so long ago that 'special' was widely used - a patronising euphemism now best avoided - and we are still left with the remains of so many other words that cast disabilities and impairments in a negative light.
November 22, 2016
0 CommentsSunday 7th August is International Friendship Day, so this post honours great friends in books.
August 7, 2016
0 CommentsHow can you support and encourage summer holiday reading when a child has reading difficulties? If 'reading for pleasure' seems instead like a chore or a battle, then looking to audiobooks can help. The spoken word can provide enjoyment from books that a struggling reader might not find in print. Audiobooks can also help to continue learning and reading development when not at school.
August 2, 2016
0 CommentsAudiobooks have so many things going for them and there's loads of articles out there about their recent rise in popularity. But what if you're yet to give audiobooks a try? Or don't know what they can offer you? Well let these reasons persuade you. And for all current audiobook listeners, this post is about revelling in the vast array of benefits audiobooks have and maybe discovering some new perks.
July 26, 2016
0 CommentsAt the Hay Festival on June 2, Melvin Burgess received the Andersen Press Young Adult Book Prize Special Achievement Award for his novel Junk, first published 20 years ago. Since then, the young adult novel has come of age.
June 7, 2016
0 CommentsIf the perk in the weather has given you some more get-up-and-go, we have the perfect way to use that energy and engage that curious mind! Whether you're looking for some entertainment or to puzzle out some politics, London is bursting with amazing book events this May.
May 10, 2016
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