Invitation to a One day Conference: Neurodiversity in FE and HE: positive initiatives for specific learning differences at Campus Centre, De Montfort University, Leicester Friday 16 September 2005 Covering: dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD and autism spectrum including Asperger's syndrome Conference Fee £95 per person This conference builds on the highly successful event focused on neurodiversity held at De Montfort University in September 2004. This agenda continues to increase in relevance; HESA reports that between 1994 and 2003, numbers of students 'other disabilities' increased by more than 220%. The specific learning differences on which we will be focusing are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act Part 4 (also known as SENDA). All institutions are required by law to avoid disadvantaging students with special educational needs and disabilities. Featuring speakers who play prominent roles in the field, the conference offers a variety of topics. It will be of interest to all those involved in working with and supporting students in further and higher education. Programme 9.30 Coffee and registration 9.55 Welcome and introduction 10.00 Dr James Palfreman-Kay: Dynamic institutional policy for neurodiversity in FE and HE 10:45 Jo Todd: Self-knowledge and disclosure: key issues for neurodiverse people in the workplace 11.30 Coffee 11.50 Katherine Hewlett: Facilitating neurodiverse students to Aim Higher 12.35 Lunch 1.30 Frances Wright & Jan Robertson: How does neurodiversity affect the learning of Maths? A practical workshop 2.15 Dr David Pollak: Neurodiversity in HE: the student voice 3.00 Plenary discussion and questions 3.30 Tea 4.00 Conference closes There will be displays by the following organisations and products: o Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education o AchieveAbility o De Montfort University Student Learning Advisory Service o Developmental Adult Neurodiversity Association o DyscalculiUm o DyslexSim o Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Interest Group o Key4Learning o Lucid Adult Dyslexia Screener o National Association of Disability Officers o National Disability Team DyscalculiUm is a new computer-based screener for dyscalculia in HE. DyslexSim is a computer programme which simulates the effects of Meares-Irlen Syndrome and suggests way to mitigate these. If you would like to display a poster, please contact the organiser (David Pollak). Speakers: Katherine Hewlett is the Project Manager of the AchieveAbility Project, aimed at breaking barriers to HE for students with specific learning difficulties. It is part of the AimHigher initiative. Dr James Palfreman-Kay is Manager of the Additional Learning Needs Service at the University of Bournemouth and Chair of the National Association of Disability Officers. Dr David Pollak is Principal Lecturer in Learning Support and Dyslexia Studies at De Montfort University and a National Teaching Fellow (Learning Support). Jo Todd is a Director of Key 4 Learning, which provides skills, resources and information to promote understanding of hidden disabilities. Frances Wright and Jan Robertson are lecturers at De Montfort University. Among their roles is supporting students in the Maths Learning Centre. The term 'neurodiversity' was coined by people identified with Asperger's Syndrome in the USA. An example of this work can be seen at www.neurodiversity.com, sub-titled "honoring the diversity of human wiring". There is printable registration form at http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/student_services/slas/dyslexia/conf.jsp?Component ID=10223 &SourcePageID=5402#1 (Please print the form and send it by post.) Hope to see you again, David Pollak 0116 257 7831