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IRD Duhallow supporting inclusivity in the classroom with dyslexia-friendly books
Author Shane Casey Thirty-five schools across Cork and Kerry will each receive a set of 4 dyslexia-friendly children’s books about Irish wildlife, thanks to IRD Duhallow CLG and Burren author, Shane Casey. Dyslexia affects, on average, 3 children in every class of 24. However, despite a significant increase in the awareness and understanding of the challenges faced, there remains limited resources available for the children themselves. Through the support of IRD Duhallow CLG, as part of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, one collection of Irish published books, the Nature’s Adventures collection, is working to buck this trend. Speaking about the dyslexiafriendly elements of the book’s design and layout, author Shane Casey says, “they’re only little changes, but they make a huge difference. We use a combination of special font, colour schemes, and layout to make it easier for children with dyslexia to read. Little things, like avoiding a double space after a full stop, prevents white lightning on the page. Or left aligning the text instead of justifying it, makes it easier to see
Issue 66 June 17th 2022
where the sentence ends, and is less daunting for a young reader than a block of text”. Shane is an Environmental Awareness Officer and former Biodiversity Officer, and with three stories in each book, his series helps to engage children with the wildlife on their own doorstep; Sinead Guiney accepts a set of readers from from hedgehogs Nollaig Murphy on behalf of Kanturk Girl’s School and mayflies to song value, Shane has also produced thrushes and salmon. “So many accompanying support materials children’s books personify wildlife for teachers and parents (available and nature beyond recognition”, as a free download from www. says Shane, “and in the midst of shanecaseybooks.ie). a global biodiversity and climate For further information please crisis, it’s important to both contact Nollaig Murphy understand and appreciate the Development Officer IRD Duhallow world around us”. 029-60633 To strengthen their educational
The four books sponsored by IRD Duhallow CLG: Nature’s Secret Adventures, Nature’s Hidden Adventures, Nature’s Marvellous Adventures, and Nature’s Incredible Adventures.
DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
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