Liverpool Neurodiversity Conference

The 5th Annual Dyslexia Conference is back in Liverpool! Join us at the Holiday Inn Liverpool - City Centre on Thursday, November 21, 2024 for a day filled with valuable insights and discussions on dyslexia. This in-person event is a great opportunity for educators, parents, and individuals with dyslexia to come together and learn from experts in the field.

Do join us for our 5th Annual Liverpool Conference at our new venue the Holiday Inn , opposite Lime St station. Our theme this year is around Innovation – theory into practice.There will be a mixture of keynote speakers our showcase of innovation and best practice . NB THE HOLIDAY INN HAS A NUMBER OF RESERVED ROOMS AT A SPECIAL RATE - QUOTE PDC FOR YOUR RATE OF £119 B AND B .

Confirmed speakers include ;

Dr Philip Kirby

Dr Kirby joined the School of Education, Communication & Society in 2020. Previously, he was a researcher in social history at the University of Oxford (2016–19), research fellow at the Sutton Trust (2015–16) and a researcher in human geography at the University of Exeter (2014–15). His PhD in human geography was awarded by Royal Holloway, University of London (2014).

Dr Kirby's research explores social and historical understandings of specific learning difficulties, with a focus on dyslexia and dyspraxia. His book, Dyslexia: A History (McGill-Queen’s University Press), co-authored with Margaret J. Snowling, was published in autumn 2022.

Dr Kirby has been part of the Delphi Study into the new definition of dyslexia.

Joanna Dunton

Director of Teaching , Miles Dyslexia Centre, Bangor University . Joanna is a member of the BDA Accreditation Board and Course Leader on the Postgraduate dyslexia course at the Miles Centre.
Joanna will present on the nature and impact of specific, targeted intervention from specialist teachers. She will use information from pupil sessions and feedback from parents and teachers.

Sally Ann Morrison, Praxis

Sally-Ann holds a degree in Linguistics and began her career as an Adult Literacy tutor before specialising in dyslexia and holds a Masters in Adult Dyslexia Diagnosis and Support. (ADDS). She worked as the Dyslexia Co-ordinator at a large FE college for ten years, simultaneously delivering the Pg Dip ADDS for London South Bank University in the North West of England. Following her role as Senior Lecturer on an AMBDA accredited Pg Cert programme, she founded her SpLD consultancy and works as an independent SpLD assessor and trainer. The majority of her SpLD assessment work is with FE and HE students, and she also provides specialist tuition and workplace assessment and training. Sally Ann’s keynote has been submitted to be 1 hour SASC approved.

Jamie Wace

Jamie is the CEO of Talamo, he struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia throughout school, realised his potential only after diagnosis. His journey taught him that understanding and leveraging personal strengths and mitigating challenges can significantly improve life outcomes. He feels strongly that due to the expense of formal assessments, not everyone can afford to get one.

It was this insight and some alarming statistics - such as 80% of dyslexic school children
remaining undiagnosed and half of the adult prison population having dyslexia
- that drove Jamie and his colleagues to set up Talamo.
His mission is to democratise access to dyslexia assessment, and to empower more individuals to realise their potential. His screener is now online and can be accessed by schools and individuals.

Arran Smith, Founder of SEND group and the Dyslexia Show

Arran Smith is a severely dyslexic adult that has worked in the field of dyslexia for over 25 years. Arran was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 9.

His parents supported his dyslexia by taking him to the Leicestershire Dyslexia Association after-school workshop. Through this Arran gained confidence and could see that his dyslexia was one of his strengths.

Arran's working career has led him into many areas such as youth work, retail, the not-for-profit sector and more recently as an entrepreneur setting up several businesses that support the areas of special educational needs and dyslexia. He is also the founder of the Dyslexia Show,which takes place annually at the NEC.He is joint Vice Chair of the BDA Management board.

Mandy Whalley, founder of the Empowerment Passport. For 34 years, Occupational Therapist Mandy has worked to support those with long-term health issues and disabilities. During this time, she has also raised three children, two of which have disabilities.

Mandy identified that communicating with education centres or workplaces about disability requirements was not always great, and this created barriers for many skilled people in terms of effective working or learning. This is how the Empowerment Passport concept was born. Empowerment Passport is a web application that can be passed between organisations to inform them of the owner’s needs.

Jeannie Bell

Jeanie Bell is the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside and is leading on work including Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System, specifically looking at supporting neurodivergent staff and individuals who come into contact with the service.

Jeanie, who is neurodivergent herself, has undertaken and published research into the subject alongside her professional career as a lecturer and in offender management services.

There will also be a range of exhibitors there and the price includes tea, coffee, snacks and lunch.