International Celebration of Dyslexia
We believe dyslexia is a gift, not a curse
Approximately 10% of the world’s population ‘suffer’ from the gift of dyslexia however most of society label dyslexia a learning disorder. By concentrating on “fixing” the problem, it can make it difficult for this 10% of the population the chance to express their natural-born talents and gifts.
fMRI studies show a non-dyslexic person utilises the brain’s left-hemisphere more. This is a gift in its own right: logical, sequential, and great for literacy skills, such as writing, reading, and spelling. Dyslexic people, who tend to use the right hemisphere more, are often bright, highly intelligent and articulate but are simply unable to read, write, or spell at the level expected of them. Others are especially talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, and engineering.
The written word has been with us for only a short time in our long human evolution, before the advent of writing there would have been no such thing as a ‘dyslexic person’.
Studies have shown that entrepreneurs are five times more likely to be dyslexic. It has also shown that approximately 50% of London’s prison population is dyslexic. ICD aims to increase the number of entrepreneurs/creative people among the dyslexic population.
Most of society labels dyslexia a learning disorder. Einstein, Tesla, John F Kennedy, Richard Branson and many other dyslexic people suffered at school but used their right brain gift to excel.
So what needs to happen? Those born with the GIFT of dyslexia should embrace these right-hemisphere brain talents and fly high!
The International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) is aimed at both adults and children (over eight years old) with the gift of dyslexia. This one-day event will offer dyslexic people the insight of how to unlock and retain their gift.
[ SPEAKERS & EVENT SCHEDULE ]
The International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) will benefit from the following keynote speakers. Free tickets available.
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Neil Hudson-Basing
Corporate Events Manager, LSBU
Neil Hudson-Basing
Neil is the Corporate Events Manager at London South Bank University with a substantial background in the charity, political, hospitality, voluntary and educational sectors. He is community focused, socially aware and passionate about equality, diversity & inclusion.
Karl de Leeuw
Author, Campaigner, ICD Founder
Karl de Leeuw
Karl de Leeuw is the world’s leading campaigner for retaining the right hemisphere gift of dyslexia. He is author of The Dyslexia Code, The Universe Code and The Healthspring Code, and is the founder of the International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD).
Richard Whitehead
Davis Method Supervisor-Specialist, Author
Richard Whitehead
Richard Whitehead is a practising Davis® Facilitator (Dyslexia.com) with an academic background in languages and linguistics, extensive experience in teaching and education, and a keen interest in holistic therapies. He is author of Why ‘Tyrannosaurus’ But Not ‘If’?
Jonathan Thompson
Disability & Dyslexia Manager at London South Bank University
Jonanthan Thompson
Jonathan Thompson has been the Disability & Dyslexia Manager at London South Bank University (LSBU) for 4.5 years and previous to this the Learning Support Manager for the University for the Creative Arts. He is also the Vice-Chair for the National Association of Disability Practitioners. Jonathan and the team at LSBU are strong advocates for the social model of disability and are working towards mitigating barriers that are created within the curriculum.
Sam Rapp
Writer poet, playwright and lawyer
Sam Rapp
Sam Rapp (The Dyslexic Poet), is an award-winning writer, poet, playwright, speaker, producer, part-
time lawyer, chair of Dyslexia House Association, ambassador for Medway Disability Action, co-chair for Medway Creative People and South-East representative for the British Dyslexia Association. Sam is a creative writing teacher and conducts creative writing workshops with her company Fun With Words Productions. Her most recent project is Get Writing For the NHS. She is author of Rant: Dyslexic Me
Welcome to the inaugural International Celebration of Dyslexia
Neil welcomes visitors to the inaugural International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) event and sets the stage for a fun event.
An Introduction to the ICD and to the Gift of Dyslexia
ICD founder, author and campaigner, Karl de Leeuw discusses the societal prejudices that dyslexia adults and children face, and how these challenges can be overcome. Dyslexia is a gift, not a curse, he argues - society must change and not dyslexics.
Practical examples of the Davis Method
Richard Whitehead, author of Why 'Tyrannosaurus But Not 'If'? gives practical examples of the Davis Method, to help boost your confidence and let you know how to succeed.
Comfort Break
Jonathan Thompson
Jonathan will be looking at Dyslexia through the eyes of the social model and how Universities are beginning to remove barriers and create flexibility in teaching and assessment for all.
Sam Rapp
Sam Rapp (The Dyslexic Poet) will combine a mixture of talk with poetry about her journey, and will also get the audience to write poetry themselves. So bring along pen and paper or your smartphone/notebook.
Lunch Break
Q&A Between the audience and speakers
A Questions & Answers session between the live and Zoom-streaming audience and the speakers until 2:15pm, when ICD finishes at 2:30pm with closing remarks and summary.
[ Tickets ]
Free Zoom Streaming Tickets will be available for the International Celebration of Dyslexia.
ICD 2021
Live Zoom Details
DATE & Time: 10am Saturday, 30th October 2021
Location: Zooming Live from London
If you download a Zoom ticket we will send you a Zoom link 7 days before the event to enable you to join us from anywhere in the world
All tickets will be available from Universe.com, a Ticketmaster Company.
[ IN THE PRESS ]
The International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) has and continues to enjoy media attention. Explore our news and press coverage to date, below.
Let’s Have a Party!!!
The International Celebration of Dyslexia aims to “shatter the myth” that the condition is a “curse”. Unlike existing events, which focus on ‘coping’ with dyslexia,…
Mark my words: dyslexia is a gift, not a curse!!!
After learning that his daughter was also dyslexic, Karl de Leeuw set about finding a ‘cure’. His quest triggered a chain of events that will…
[ The Dyslexia Code ]
Karl de Leeuw's book The Dyslexia Code: Why Right-Brained Children Should be Left...Alone is available now on Amazon.
