Dyslexia Action and RNIB launch Load2Learn

Dyslexia Action and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have just completed work on a new online resource which promises to improve the school experience for learners who can't read standard print.

Load2Learn, is an online resource delivered by the national organisations and funded by the Department for Education (DfE) to help schools better support learners with dyslexia, who are blind or partially sighted, or who have a disability.

Curriculum materials across all Key Stages - textbooks, test papers and images - can be downloaded in a range of file formats and then adapted to suit the personal reading needs of students. There are currently over 1,500 titles and 1,000 images to download and documents can be customised to create different print or braille versions.

With 10% of students struggling to read standard print there is huge demand for this resource and it is essential that staff are supported to give learners the extra help they need to reach their potential, achieve greater standards of reading and writing and experience equality of opportunity within schools.

Load2Learn was designed by the two charities not only to provide accessible curriculum materials but also to offer teaching staff guidance, information and training to support learners with dyslexia, blindness and partial sight. Load2Learn is also planning to provide an online community for teachers, SENCOs and support staff to share resources and best practice.

Kevin Geeson, Chief Executive Officer of Dyslexia Action, said; “We know that one in ten of young learners will be disengaged in school, with one in five excluded, unable to access the lessons in the same way as everyone else and affecting their long-term life chances.

"Working with RNIB, we have developed Load2Learn to make it easier for staff to prepare materials for students’ personalised learning. We believe that it will make a real difference to students in school affected by dyslexia, who struggle with reading and writing, helping to increase their learning and their self-esteem."

John Godber, Head of Products and Publications at RNIB, said: "Load2Learn is a real breakthrough, offering a practical solution for learners and schools. It would not have happened without the support of parents, children, teaching staff and MPs, who backed our campaign for every child's right to read and to equal educational opportunities.

"At RNIB we are delighted that blind and partially sighted learners who can't read standard print have the chance to start this academic year with access to many more of the same text books as their classmates."

For more information on Load2Learn please click here