Walk for Dyslexia: 6th annual Taking Steps Against Dyslexia

Contact: Gail Piper

Tel. 608-252-4922, Email: dlcm301@gmail.com
http://www.walkfordyslexiamadison.org

5K walk in Vilas Park to provide free tutoring for children with learning disabilities

MADISON, Wis. (APRIL 22, 2015) — For the sixth year, families and community members will gather in beautiful spring weather to make strides against learning disabilities. On Saturday, May 16, the public is invited to join in the Walk for Dyslexia to benefit the Children’s Dyslexia Center-Madison (CDCM), which offers free, individualized tutoring for Dane County children who struggle with reading, writing, and spelling.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2015, with registration at 7:30 am at the Shelter House at Henry Vilas Park (702 South Randall Avenue). The 5Kwalk will start at 8:30 am. Advance registration is available on the event website at http://www.walkfordyslexiamadison.org. Fees are $20 in advance or $25 on May 17 for adults, and $5 for children under 12. All funds raised from the walk will support FREE tutoring services for children with dyslexia in the greater Madison area.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that dyslexia affects 17% of the population. Dyslexia is a neurologically based, often familial disorder, which interferes with the acquisition and processing of language. It is a learning difference that creates a significant disability in a world where reading is an essential skill. Dyslexia is not a result of lack of motivation, sensory impairment, inadequate instructional or environmental opportunities, or other limiting conditions, but may occur together with these conditions. Although dyslexia is life-long, individuals with dyslexia frequently respond successfully to timely and appropriate intervention.

The CDCM provides one-on-one instruction to help children overcome the devastating effects of dyslexia, at no cost to the children or their families. Founded in 2001, the Center has graduated 160 students, helping children to become independent, lifelong learners and to gain both skill and confidence in their ability to succeed in school. In addition, the Center provides free training for teachers or volunteers who want to tutor children with Dyslexia. All tutors are certified in the Orton-Gillingham model, a multi-sensory approach that uses phonetics to emphasize visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles to read, write, and spell. Under this approach, children are taught how to process language and how to read all over again and progress is made in small, readily quantifiable steps.

To learn more about the Walk for Dyslexia, please contact event chair Gail Piper at 608-252-4922 or gailpiper6@aol.com, or http://www.walkfordyslexiamadison.org. For information on the Children’s Dyslexia Center-Madison, please visit http://www.cdc-madison.org.