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The Iceland Dyslexia Association
Dyslexia and advocacy in Iceland – a brief history
The Icelandic word lesblinda, commonly used for dyslexia, is known to have appeared in written Icelandic sources as early as 1936. The international term dyslexia is derived from Greek: dys meaning difficulty and lexis meaning word or language. In that sense, the word captures well the difficulties many dyslexic people experience with words — reading them, writing them, processing them and, at times, misunderstanding them.
Organised concern for people with severe reading difficulties began to emerge in Iceland in the early 1980s. In 1983, a small group of parents joined forces after recognising that their children were bright and capable, yet struggled greatly with reading. What began within one school gradually spread, as more parents came together to press for understanding, support and better answers as to why some children found reading so difficult.
As these children grew older, the first parent-led initiative gradually faded. A new association was formed in 1989, again with a strong focus on children and young people with reading difficulties. At that time, the Icelandic public discussion generally referred to reading difficulties rather than dyslexia or lesblinda. The vocabulary, and with it the public understanding, was still developing.
Around 1991–1992, the term dyslexia became more visible in Icelandic discussion. When a national association was later established, there was serious debate over whether to use the international term dyslexia or the Icelandic word lesblinda. The Icelandic term was ultimately favoured, as it was more closely rooted in the language used by the general public.
In 1994, The Icelandic Dyslexia Association was founded. It remained active through the 1990s and continued its work until 2001, when lack of funding made further operations impossible. An attempt was made to place the association’s work within the Icelandic home–school organisation Heimili og skóli, and this was marked with some public attention. However, no funding accompanied the arrangement, and the activities of the association gradually came to an end.
For approximately two years there was no active national association dedicated specifically to the interests of dyslexic people in Iceland. That changed on 26 March 2003, when Félag lesblindra á Íslandi – The Iceland Dyslexia Association (FLÍ) was founded. The Association has operated continuously ever since and has, from an early stage, worked in cooperation with the disability rights movement in Iceland.
The Iceland Dyslexia Association, Félag lesblindra á Íslandi (FLÍ), is a non-profit organisation working for the rights, interests and equal opportunities of dyslexic people in Iceland.
The Association provides information, guidance and advocacy for dyslexic individuals and their families. It also works to increase public understanding of dyslexia, improve support within the education system and the workplace, and promote access to appropriate tools and accommodations, including audiobooks, assistive technology and digital solutions.
FLÍ has organised conferences, seminars and public meetings, published educational material, supported research and taken part in Nordic cooperation between dyslexia associations. The Association has also carried out extensive outreach work, including visits to schools and workplaces, with the aim of improving knowledge, attitudes and practical support for dyslexic people.
The Association is governed by a five-member board, currently consisting of three men and two women, along with alternates. Membership is open to everyone who supports the Association’s aims and wishes to strengthen the position of dyslexic people in Iceland.
Purpose and objectives
The purpose of the Iceland Dyslexia Association is to promote the rights, wellbeing and equal participation of dyslexic people in Iceland — in education, employment and society at large.
The Association works, among other things, to:
- promote equal opportunities in education for dyslexic children, young people and adults;
- advocate for appropriate assessment, support and accommodations in schools and higher education;
- improve access to audiobooks, assistive technology and other tools that support reading, writing and learning;
- strengthen the opportunities of dyslexic people in employment and working life;
- raise public awareness and understanding of dyslexia;
- provide guidance and support to dyslexic individuals and their families;
- encourage research, professional knowledge and international cooperation;
- influence public policy and legislation in matters affecting dyslexic people;
- defend the interests of dyslexic people in dealings with public authorities, institutions, schools, workplaces and society at large.
Contact
If you wish to contact the Iceland Dyslexia Association, you are welcome to send an email to:
or call:
+354 534 5348
Thank you for your interest in dyslexia and the work of the Iceland Dyslexia Association.
Kind regards,
The Board of the Iceland Dyslexia Association