Dyslexia Advocate Fellowship Program 2024

In this inaugural cohort, ADO has set sights on:

• Recruiting two dedicated individuals from each of the 54 African countries.
• Cultivating a team of advocates to spread awareness and garner support for individuals with dyslexia across Africa.

Advocates will have the opportunity to:

• Educate their communities about dyslexia.
• Promote inclusive education.
• Champion accommodations for those with this learning difference.

The program details are as follows:

• Duration: Two years.
• Training: A comprehensive six-weekend module designed to equip fellows with vital advocacy skills.

Advocates from various backgrounds, especially professionals from sectors such as:

• Journalism
• Education
• Health care
• Public policy
• Business
• Social Enterprise

However, if you’re from a different sector but are passionately aligned with our mission, you are encouraged to apply

The fellowship provides the unique opportunity to:

• Learn from dyslexia experts.
• Network with fellow advocates across the continent.
• Develop skills in communication, advocacy, and community engagement.

Benefits of the Program:
While the African Dyslexia Advocate Program does not offer monetary compensation, the benefits are manifold:

• A two-year, dynamic training program.
• Representing the Africa Dyslexia Organisation in your country.
• Elevating dyslexia awareness across Africa.
• Gaining professional experience and honing new skills.
• Being part of a dedicated team working towards inclusivity.

Advocate Responsibilities:
Following the comprehensive six-weekend training, as a Dyslexia Advocate, you will be entrusted with the following responsibilities:
Awareness Campaigns:

• Organize and lead awareness campaigns in local schools, community centers, and other public arenas.
• Use multimedia platforms to spread the message and understanding about dyslexia.

Educational Workshops:

• Conduct workshops for educators, parents, and caregivers on best practices for supporting individuals with dyslexia.
• Collaborate with local educational institutions to implement inclusive strategies.

Liaise with Educational Agencies:

• Engage with educational agencies in your country, presenting the latest research and advocating for curriculum changes that benefit students with dyslexia.
• Secure resources, such as reading materials and software, to assist educators in helping students with diverse learning needs.

Community Engagement:

• Organize support groups for individuals with dyslexia and their families.
• Foster a sense of community and provide a platform for sharing experiences and strategies.

Continuous Learning:

• Stay updated with the latest research, tools, and strategies related to dyslexia.
• Attend annual refresher training sessions organized by the Africa Dyslexia Organization to ensure consistent and updated advocacy.

Collaborate with Media Professionals:

• Engage with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to spotlight success stories, challenges, and breakthroughs in the world of dyslexia.
  Feedback and Reporting:
• Periodically report back to the Africa Dyslexia Organization, sharing progress, challenges faced, and success stories.
• Assist in gathering data for ongoing research initiatives.

Mentoring:

• As a senior advocate, mentor new recruits, sharing experiences and best practices to ensure a consistent approach in advocacy.

To be considered for the program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be committed to the mission of the Africa Dyslexia Organisation
• Be between the ages of 18-55
• Have acquired a minimum of a post-secondary certified training and qualifications.
• Be available to dedicate a minimum of 2 years for the program
• Have a verifiable minimum of one year of volunteer and one year of work experience

An ideal candidate is one who:

• Is committed to the mission and vision of the Africa Dyslexia Organisation.
• Is flexible, independent, and has a sense of effort and a sense of humor.
• Self-motivated and has an interest in volunteer work.
• Has the absorptive capacity to learn on the project.
• Appreciates and respects other languages, cultures, religious and social norms.
• Has a great deal of social networking skills.

By taking on these responsibilities, you will be instrumental in achieving our shared vision: creating an inclusive and understanding society for all students with learning differences.

Application Process:

The ideal candidate resonates with our organizational missions, showcases flexibility, exudes self-motivation, and demonstrates robust networking skills.
Passionate about being the change catalyst for dyslexia awareness? Apply by filling out the application using the Apply Now button below or above.
In addition to your CV, ensure your application articulates:

• Your motivation for joining the fellowship.
• Your vision of utilizing the fellowship’s learnings for community impact.
• Previous advocacy experiences.
• A team collaboration experience detailing your role and learnings.
• Your strategy to gauge the impact as an Africa Dyslexia Advocate.