Minutes of the Meeting CROSS-PARTY GROUP DYSLEXIA

Transcription

1 A meeting of the was held on Tuesday in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh at 2 p.m. 1. Welcome & Apologies of the Meeting CROSS-PARTY GROUP DYSLEXIA Mark Ballard, Chair of the meeting, welcomed all. A list of those in attendance and those who have given apologies are attached. 2. Responses from Local Authorities - Feedback from the Sub-Group Rosemary Byrne gave an overview of items discussed at the recent Sub-Group meeting. It was clear that there are concerns regarding the lack of information provided by local authorities to questions about their definition of dyslexia and statistics on the number of pupils obtaining support in examinations. Rosemary Byrne suggested a few ways in which the Sub-Group could obtain details of statistics. Moira Thomson suggested contacting Paul Nisbet from the CALL Centre as he has statistics from 2004/5 that he may be able to give the group. Annette Foulcer suggested that the group contact Carla Davidson from Scottish Qualifications Authority who might be able to assist with this. There was much discussion within the group about the number of definitions being used and the content describing the dyslexia spectrum. The field you work in may dictate the type of definition needed. It was felt that if a definition is too short it may not get across the whole issue of the dyslexia spectrum and if it is too long it can become unmanageable. John Scott suggested that the group contact COSLA to find out what definition they use. Those representing the adult sector felt that a definition should not just represent a specific sector. It should be inclusive of adults and it should reflect positive aspects of dyslexia. It is hoped that we can invite a Minister to discuss the issues that are identified as being a priority for the group and we are hoping to work towards that goal. 3. Copyright and Transcription Mary Evans gave feedback regarding conversations with John Legg from RNIB and others with whom she had spoken about copyright and transcription. Page 1

2 Information is attached that Mary has prepared from these meetings and conversations. Mary said that RNIB are already half way down the line with their proposed transcription service and would be very happy for us to come on board as it will lend weight to their proposal. They would not be willing to stop their proposal going forward to wait for us to catch up with them. Jim Connelly suggested Dyslexia Scotland, as an organisation, could now begin to take this issue forward. Copyright laws are UK-wide and as such we should be obtaining information about how this is being tackled at Westminster by the British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action (formerly Dyslexia Institute) and other interested parties. Dyslexia Scotland should make contact with the British Dyslexia Association. It was agreed that Mary Evans and Moira Thomson get together to move this issue forward. Moira Thomson suggested that Paul Nisbet from the CALL Centre be co-opted to give input. 4 Parliamentary Reception It was suggested that this take place in the Garden Suite. Mark Ballard said that this has to be booked 6 months in advance. There was some discussion about what people would like to see there: stands from Dyslexia Scotland, the Army, case studies, Local Education Authorities etc. Lorna Bett had been asked to give feedback on costs. However, due to her being on holiday this will be carried forward to the next meeting. 5. Speaker Invitation Adam Hannah said that we have already had excellent speakers but we must be careful to invite along speakers who are specific and relevant to the work we are doing at the time. Kathleen Clarke agreed to speak at our next meeting about professional development for teachers and what dyslexia input there is within initial teacher training. 6. Any Other Business It was suggested that the group set a series of rolling priorities that we can 'tick off' as we achieve each goal. It was felt that the group should have aims and goals and time scales for these to be achieved. Fiona Innes asked if all Local Education Authorities knew of the existence of the Cross-Party Group. Page 2

3 It was confirmed that they were all informed of the group at its inception but that it might be useful to be in contact with them again to offer them an opportunity to come along and be involved. Jim Connelly suggested that a petition could be raised to pressure the Executive into making changes. Colette Mengiles explained that she is setting up a web-log and asked if the group would support this. There was no objection. 7. Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 5th September at the Scottish Parliament at 2 p.m. A Sub-Group meeting will take place on the 13th June Page 3

4 Those in Attendance at the Meeting: Rosemary Byrne MSP John Scott MSP Moira Thomson (City of Edinburgh Council) Sheena Teague (Dyslexia Scotland South East) Martin Davies (Dyslexia Forth Valley) Liz McKelvie (East Renfrewshire) Mary Evans (Dyslexia Scotland) Glenda Hanna (Dyslexia Ayrshire) Elspeth Dow Linda Kerr (Dyslexia Lanarkshire) Marie Lockhart (Dyslexia Scotland) Irene Lang (SSP) Duncan Cumming (Dyslexia Scotwest) Joe Moran (Army Education Centre) James Connelly (Dyslexia Ayrshire) Sharon Duncan (Dyslexia Scotland ()) Mark Ballard MSP Kathleen Clark (Strathclyde University) Meg Houston (City of Edinburgh Council) Colette Mengiles (SSP) Margaret Watson (L.T. Scotland) Mairi Campbell-Jack (Dyslexic Adult) Louise Stafford (Dyslexia Ayrshire) Annette Foulcer (SQA) Catrina Cruickshank Fiona Innes (Dyslexia Oban & Lorn) Joyce Drummond (SSP) Catriona Collins (Educational Psychologist) Adam Hannah (Dyslexia Ayrshire) Robert Shaw (Dyslexia Ayrshire) Allan Cowieson (North Ayrshire Council) Apologies Received Katy McFarlane (Child Law Centre) Aileen MacDonald (Apex Scotland) Jim King (Scottish Prison Service) Julie-Ann Jameson Kirsty Gilbert Stuart Lucas (SCIS) Mary-Jane Wilson (Dyslexia Forth Valley) Don Mackie (Communities Scotland) Jennifer Stoddart (Scottish Executive) Sue Bullen Sir Crispin Agnew Dr Margaret Crombie (Dyslexia Scotland) Liz Rodger (Dyslexia Scotland Adult Network) Page 4

5 ITEM 3: ATTACHMENT 1 Notes from Meeting with Royal National Institute of the Blind mainstream key curriculum material - only 50% readily available. 2. British Library and National Library for Blind amalgamating. 3. The Right to Read - UK-wide. 4. Establish agreement on production standard - international. 5. Every child has the right. 6. Ensure all existing work is pulled together and easily accessed. 7. Wording - need for transcription - especially audio or large print. 8. Should be accessible to dyslexic people. 9. Barrier of copyright - commitment to overcoming these barriers. 10. Disability Network Scotland. 11. Australian system. 12. Meeting with Robert Brown MSP. 13. Meeting with Education Authorities. 14. National Transcription Service. 15. Partnership with Local Education Authorities and Blind School. 16. Local Education Authorities must provide (Disability Discrimination Act). 17. Three or four Local Education Authorities already do a lot - 13 do a bit more than others. 18. Leckie and Leckie keen to come on board. 19. Business Plan. Page 5