Organization Details:

The International Dyslexia Assoc-New York Branch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and individuals with dyslexia and related learning disabilities achieve success that's consistent with their potential

Description and/or History:
The International Dyslexia Association-NY Branch (NYBIDA) believes that no one should struggle with dyslexia alone. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability caused by differences in the brain that make it hard to read and spell. Afflicting nearly one in six people in the United States, dyslexia makes reading, spelling and learning a confounding puzzle for children and individuals who otherwise possess the intelligence and motivation necessary for academic success.

Left untreated, dyslexia can gravely impair a child’s quality of life, resulting in mounting frustration and anxiety and dwindling chances for academic or vocational success. A child who cannot read by the end of third grade has only a one in seven chance of ever reading at grade level and almost no chance at graduating from high school on time. Over time, dyslexia takes a disproportionately greater toll on children of color, particularly African American children who make up the majority of kids in targeted Queens elementary schools. Families, often single-parent households, are too poor, undereducated and overwhelmed to be able to get the extra support and resources their kids need.

As a national leader in supporting children, families and individuals with dyslexia, NYBIDA is the only organization in New York City focused solely on this issue and its potential negative impact on the lives of many. Founded in 1974, NYBIDA is widely recognized as an indispensable resource for information, referrals, direct service and professional development, all designed to educate and support parents, properly train teachers and ultimately raise outcomes for our most vulnerable children. Our programs help children, young people and adults learn to read and lead rich lives through the gift of language.

Dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia understand and live productively with this potentially crippling disorder, NYBIDA raises public awareness about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention, each year training hundreds more teachers and professionals in the research based, multi-sensory approach to reading proven highly effective.

Contact people:

Jo Haines, Executive Director, (212) 691-1939, (email) Danielle Mowery, Director, Community Outreach, (212) 691-1930, (email) Susan Voelker, Operations Manager, (212) 691-1930, (email)

Address:

71 West 23rd St, Ste 1527 New York, NY 10010 (See a map)

Directions:

NYBIDA offices are located in the Chelsea section of Manhattan just off the corner of 6th Avenue and 23rd Street