About ADSHE

The Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education

was formed in 2001 by a group of dyslexia specialists working in Higher Education  in order to share knowledge and inform good practice, especially to:

  • Work towards establishing parity of provision so that any dyslexic student will be assured of appropriate support throughout the HE sector.
  • Avoid unnecessary duplication of work.
  • Establish commonly accepted codes of good practice.
  • Share experiences and overcome feelings of isolation.

Who are we?

Over  475 dyslexia tutors and specialists with over 70 HEIs as Institutional Members.

ADSHE focuses specifically on the issues affecting university students, including transition into HE and transition out into the workplace.  ADSHE provides a focused network for dyslexia specialists in HE where the concerns are different to the wider educational environment where other groups  (e.g. BDA or PATOSS) provide support.

We provide

  • an annual Conference every June which gives all members an opportunity to meet,  share ideas and concerns and to attend a number of specialist workshops
  • a professional development day [free to members]
  • regional group meetings
  • specialist training and CPD events.

Where are we headed?

Based originally in London, we have set up regional groups so that members can have easy access to local meetings – if there is no regional group in your area, why not set one up?  We have also taken national meetings out to the regions, including Cardiff, Leeds and Scotland.  Offers to host such meetings would be welcomed by the Executive committee.

We are also working closely with other organisations in the HE / DSA sector to ensure that high quality standards apply to support for dyslexic students, that the role of a dyslexia tutor is fully understood by policy makers and funding bodies, and we work with organisations representing Access Centres and Needs Assessors to ensure that the latest strategies for student learning and assistive technology are understood by all.  ADSHE is represented on a number of high level groups in the sector.

We have published  (download here)  Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Specialist Support for Students with SpLDs in Higher Education and a Mind Map showing the type of  work undertaken by dyslexia specialists.   You can purchase a hard copy of the Guidelines at £10, A2 sized Mind Maps at £5 and Laminated Mind Maps at £8. Send order and cheque (payable to ADSHE) to Mary Kountouris ADSHE c/o 5 Natal Road London N11 2HU with postal address for delivery.