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Parents who belong to a dyslexia action group staged a protest outside the offices of the County Council.

British Dyslexics
(LEA's from Heaven & Hell)
22 Deeside Enterprise Centre.
Deeside
Nr Chester CH5 1PP

Members of the Dyslexia Action Group, based in Deeside, gathered at County Hall, to lobby the county education committee.

Members of the group, which has been operating for ten months, claim that funds allocated to children with special educational needs in schools throughout Flintshire are not being used adequately.

They also say that over the last few years, teaching hours dedicated to dyslexic children and children with special needs have been slashed.

Secretary of the group, whose daughter, is dyslexic, said:  "This problem has been going on for two and a half years but every time we approach the council about the matter it falls on deaf ears.

Demonstration

"Dyslexic pupils and children who need special treatment are not getting the education they deserve.  It is ridiculous the amount of teaching time they get each week so something needs to be done.  We have been forced into holding a demonstration because the LEA seem to make their own rules up as they go along".

One parent, whose daughter age 10, has reading and writing difficulties, said she was angry over the way dyslexic children were being treated.

Education Chairman said the county council was constantly trying to help children with special needs and extra money was being allocated.

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DYSLEXIA JOKES BUST-UP

By GEORGE TATTUM

EDUCATION CHIEF APOLOGISES FOR 'OFFENSIVE' QUIPS

Clwyd's director of education has admitted making offensive jokes about people suffering from dyslexia.

Mr Keith Evans later apologised to a distressed mum for his 'insensitive and ill-judged' remarks.

The education chief's gaff was made at a farewell get-together for a member of his staff.

Among the 80 people present was Mrs Angela Roberts, who has been fighting for three years to get a fair deal for her dyslexic son, Haydn.  She is employed in the education department.

"I was very angry at his quips about dyslexia", she said.  He knew I was in the room and had himself been dealing with the case of my son.

I consider his jokes extremely tasteless.  He must have known they would cause offence.

Mrs Roberts sent a formal letter of complaint and received a full personal apology.

In her letter she said.  "I was totally disgusted with your contemptuous and derogatory remarks made, not only once but several times regarding the dyslexia handicap.

I was not the only member of staff present during the presentations to be embarrassed and disgusted by your totally unnecessary remarks.

Because of your direct involvement currently with our case regarding our son, Haydn, you were obviously fully aware that your remarks were going to offend myself and my immediate family, and also many people within the education system which you represent.

Yet again it is so easy for you to disparage and disregard dyslexia as nothing more than the butt for your jokes.

'Until dyslexia is taken seriously by senior education officers in this county it is obvious that dyslexic children in Flintshire cannot hope for openness and understanding by teachers and head teachers under your control.'

Mr Evans replied in writing to the complaint within three days.

He apologised to Mrs Roberts, saying his remarks were made at a very light hearted informal occasion and were entirely off the cuff".

The director said he had referred specifically to dyslexia because he had been involved in many sessions discussing the issue with the adviser who was retiring.

"I do accept that my remarks at the presentation were insensitive and ill-judged, particularly in the light of the discussions concerning your son Haydn." Wrote Mr Evans.

"I apologise without reservation for any offence which I may have caused to you and your family and can only repeat that, however flippant my comments may have been, they do not in any way reflect the seriousness and concern which I and my colleagues regard the problem of catering properly for this special education need".