Empowering dyslexic students through mobility

Abstract

This chapter describes and analyses effects experienced by Maltese dyslexic youth participating in a youth exchange with Italian dyslexic youth. The aim was to provide a platform to share school experiences and inform professionals and the public about frustrations experienced due to lack of understanding and insensitivity to dyslexic youth’s needs as learners. Through 2014 ERASMUS+ funding, the Maltese dyslexic youth paired up with Italian dyslexic students to work together to raise awareness of challenges and difficulties experienced. The main activities involved developing a document providing advice on what young dyslexic people prefer when learning. They also engaged in dissemination activities by talking about their project and raising awareness. From interviews carried out with the project co-ordinator (Formosa), the group leader (Falzon) and the youth, it emerged that the project enabled these youth to realise that they can achieve goals which before they perceived impossible. They learned how to present issues and raise awareness with different audiences - the general public, professionals, and politicians. They also developed other skills such as dealing with and using media, fund raising, budgeting, obtaining sponsorships, lobbying and talking to policy-makers. This mobility experience helped them develop skills beneficial for their holistic development, as well as for employability, necessary for achieving social inclusion.