About us

Welcome to the International Dyslexia Association, Upper Midwest Branch

The International Dyslexia Association, Upper Midwest Branch (IDA-UMB) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that supports individuals with dyslexia and related language-based learning disorders, their families, and the professional communities who serve them. One of 48 International Dyslexia Association branches worldwide, we serve the areas of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba, Canada.

Our mission

IDA-UMB serves as the region’s definitive resource of information related to dyslexia, language-based learning disorders and literacy acquisition. We strive to increase awareness and understanding of these disabilities, encourage early and accurate assessment and diagnosis, encourage and facilitate the use of scientific, research-based instructional methodologies, and bridge social, educational, and cultural gaps to improve language acquisition for the success of all learners.

Our values

• Effective reading instruction is a right, not a privilege
• All individuals have the right to achieve their potential
• We support and encourage scientifically based research that shows individual learning skills can be strengthened
• Social, educational, and cultural barriers to language acquisition must be removed
• We support effective, scientifically based instruction, educational intervention strategies for individuals with dyslexia, and interdisciplinary research
• We are committed to the wide dissemination of research-based knowledge
• We support the preparation and continued education of parents, educators, and other professionals to provide effective reading instruction for all individuals
• Promoting literacy through research, education and advocacy 
  

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Advisory Council

Public Policy

IDA National

History of IDA-UMB

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