Mike Hall MP

Labour Party | Weaver Vale

Sir Steve Redgrave thanks local MP for dyslexia campaign support

 

Mike Hal MP met Sir Steve Redgrave on Monday 16th July to discuss the Olympic legend’s campaign to secure improved provision in local schools for children with print disabilities, including children with dyslexia and low vision.

Sir Steve and Mike met at the annual Altformat story competition awards.  The award ceremony, held to celebrate the winners of a national story writing competition for dyslexic schoolchildren, took place in the House of Commons.  

The MP keeps in regular contact with local headteachers about Special Educational Needs provision in Weaver Vale.  Mike Hall MP explained:-
 “This is a topical issue in Weaver Vale and I was keen to hear from Sir Steve about the progress of his campaign to provide print disabled students with learning materials in formats other than printed text”.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist, who is dyslexic, points out that 70% of all information given out at school comes as printed text and that visual and print impaired students need access to the curriculum in alternative formats (‘altformat’), such as MP3 audio, large print, Braille or the DAISY electronic format. Of the 70% materials in printed text, only 4% is currently available in alternative formats.  

In Sir Steve’s view, students with print disabilities should receive appropriate altformats at the same time non-impaired students receive their curriculum material so that their learning and attainment are not held back.  The campaign, which is supported by the main dyslexic and blindness organisations around the world, can be visited at www.altformat.com .

After discussing his altformat campaign with Mike Hall MP at Westminster, Sir Steve said:-
 “I feel very strongly about the importance of altformat  - I’ve seen research from America, which shows that if students with literacy problems are exposed to learning materials as combined audio and text, their test scores can increase by almost 40%.  This is staggering and it’s time everyone knew about it.

“I’m delighted Mike is taking an interest in the altformat campaign because we need the support of MPs to persuade the government to look at increasing the level of support for dyslexic and visually impaired children”

Mike Hall MP said:-
 “I agree with Sir Steve that we need to see more effort nationally and locally to raise awareness among parents that curriculum materials can be made available in alternative format for print disabled children”.  He continued: “At the same time, I recognise that our local schools have competing priorities for their resources, so I would be happy to discuss the issue with any headteacher or special educational needs co-ordinator who wants to get in touch.”