International Dyslexia Association - Ontario Branch
IDA Ontario is a non-profit charitable, volunteer-run organization founded in June 2004. IDA Ontario provides information and support to individuals with dyslexia and their families, as well as educators and other professionals. Funds come from membership fees and charitable donations. ONBIDA's Charitable Registration Number is 85713 3078 RR0001.
We are the Ontario branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) which has its head office in Baltimore. IDA was founded in the 1920s and is the oldest organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia. Today IDA membership exceeds 10,000 teachers, other professionals, individuals with dyslexia, and parents. There are 47 branches in the U.S. and Canada and 24 global partners across the globe. IDA promotes effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for dyslexics. They support and encourage interdisciplinary research. They facilitate the exploration of the causes and early identification of dyslexia and are committed to the responsible and wide dissemination of research-based knowledge.
Our Mission:
- To create a future for all individuals who struggle with dyslexia and other related reading differences so that they may have richer, more robust lives and access to the tools and resources they need.
Our Focus Areas:
- Information and Support
- Teacher Training
- Advocacy
- Organizational Sustainability
Our Beliefs:
- We believe individuals with dyslexia have the right to achieve their potential, that individual learning abilities can be strengthened, and that social, educational and cultural barriers to literacy must be removed.
- IDA actively promotes effective teaching practices and related clinical and educational intervention strategies for individuals with dyslexia. We support and encourage interdisciplinary study and research. We facilitate the exploration of the causes and early identification of dyslexia and are committed to the responsible and wide dissemination of research-based knowledge.
IDA Ontario assists people with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them by:
- Providing support, information and up-to-date information and bilingual resources (website, webinars, training opportunities, event outreach)
- Funding Ontario Libraries by means of Mini Grants to purchase Decodable Books
- Creating public awareness of dyslexia
- Responding to general public inquiries related to dyslexia
- Maintaining an online directory of professionals, clinics and schools providing services to people with dyslexia and their families (eg. tutoring, reading specialists, psychologists, speech-language pathologists)
- Presenting an annual conference
Please note: while we occasionally share information on research studies, products and programs that may be of interest to those visiting our website, posting of such information does not necessarily imply support or endorsement by IDA Ontario.