The Dyslexia Project
a 501 (c)(3)
Federal ID #83-1968155

Category: About

Years in development, The Dyslexia Project immediately won recognition and praise in the press—when it was established in 2011—for making connections within the community to create a pathway for dyslexia success. Read articles here.

  • Dyslexia Project Testimonials

    Dyslexia Project Testimonials and praise has come in many forms and in several media. But really, the most meaningful testaments to our effectiveness come from the thank-yous from students with dyslexia (and their parents). It’s been a pleasure to serve you.

    “Yeah!! You are getting it done! I bought copies of ‘DyslexiaLand’ to share with my niece and with friends who have children with dyslexia. Thanks for all your great work!”

    —Lynn Rodriguez, former School Board member, SBUSD

    “Amazing how far we’ve (you’ve) come since those incredibly painful IEPs of 5 years ago and farther back. I’m proud to have been around to witness the changes that have occurred. Literally from tears to cheers. Thank you for fighting for our children.”

    —David Archer, teacher

    “Thanks for the way you’ve helped paved the way in Santa Barbara for kids like Lana. You’re doing essential, heroic work.”

    —Jen Lilienstein, Parent

    “The Parent Resource Center is the best center of its kind I’ve ever seen and I commend you on your leadership. Cheri, you’re our North Star of Dyslexia.”

    —John Rodrigues, dyslexia advocate, author, High School Dropout to Harvard

    “Thank you again for everything, Cheri. You have no idea all that you have inspired in me. You’ve taught me to more effectively advocate for my children.”

    —Tracy Gillette, Parent & Ph.D. Candidate, Pacifica

    “I really enjoyed having Daniel in class this year, a great kid. Also, I appreciated learning a lot about children with dyslexia and it’s helped me help other students with Dyslexia as well. Thank you for opening my eyes up to this world.”

    —Jenn Fastman, teacher

    “Thank you for all that you are doing giving a voice to unique people with special learning abilities.”

    —Paul Zink, Architect

  • Cheri Rae: Director of The Dyslexia Project

    For more than a decade, Cheri Rae has focused on dyslexia, personally and professionally. As so many dyslexia advocates, she has a smart son with dyslexia who was identified with the confusing label of “Specific Learning Disability.” After years of frustration, confusion and lack of progress, she finally understood that his difficulties in school–and success outside of it–were due to dyslexia.

    An award-winning newspaper columnist and magazine editor, Cheri Rae began intensive research about dyslexia, and worked with others to understand their stories, and the challenges faced by those with dyslexia. After an article she wrote about dyslexia for the Santa Barbara Independent, “When Reading Hurts,” was shared widely in the community and far beyond, parents began contacting her and requesting her help. Cheri took action and founded The Dyslexia Project to advocate for individuals with dyslexia. Her work includes presentations about dyslexia to schoolchildren, meeting one-on-one with parents, speaking to parent groups and utilizing her gift as a journalist to write articles and editorials to spread the word about the need to improve educational opportunities for students with dyslexia.

    She works with the philanthropic community to raise awareness, and help move into action. Her work was initially funded by The Kirby Jones Foundation, with the Santa Barbara Education Foundation serving as a fiscal sponsor. During that time, Cheri served as a dyslexia consultant for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, and managed to serve as a liaison between the district and parents who needed guidance.

    Cheri has helped organize monthly “Dyslexia Dialogues” outreach for the community in the district office as well as community libraries; provided teacher trainings, and spearheaded the development and creation of the district’s Parent Resource Center, where parents could receive information to help them understand dyslexia and be inspired to advocate for their children. She also organized and promoted the annual “Distinguished Dyslexics” series, bringing noted individuals with dyslexia to make presentations to the Santa Barbara community.

    Cheri is the author of DyslexiaLand: A Field Guide for Parents of Children with Dyslexia, a comprehensive resource for navigating the unknown territory parents encounter when advocating for their dyslexic children.   She frequently meets with other parents to provide resources and support as they network and support each other. She supported successful efforts to pass AB 1369, California’s dyslexia bill, which was co-sponsored by local Assembly Member Das Williams, and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October, 2015.

    Cheri Rae has been honored for her work on behalf of those with dyslexia, as a “Local Hero” by the Santa Barbara Independent and as a recipient of a resolution from the State Assembly. She also creates visually impactful assemblage art about dyslexia as a way to communicate its characteristics in a colorful and memorable way.

    Now that The Dyslexia Project is a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization, she serves as the director and continues to work on behalf of students and community members with dyslexia and their families.

  • The Dyslexia Project

     The Dyslexia Project provides awareness, resources and support for the 1 in 5 with dyslexia in Santa Barbara and beyond. Founded in 2011, The Dyslexia Project has accomplished much in its short history with its outreach efforts, which include:

    Establishing the Parent Resource Center for Santa Barbara

    • Acquired books and videos, organized lending library
    • Develop reference materials, college resources
    • Promote PRC as a community hub of information and services
    • Supervise staff to conduct community and social media outreach
    • Hold open houses at PRC for parents and community members
    • Meetings with parents to discuss needed services for their children

    Promoting Dyslexia Awareness with Community Events

    • Arrange screenings (and filmmaker public appearances) for major dyslexia-themed movies including “The Big Picture” and “Dislecksia: The Movie”
    • Arrange speaking engagements and related public appearances for dyslexia notables, including John Rodrigues, author of High School Dropout to Harvard
    • Conduct monthly “Dyslexia Dialogues,” featuring discussions with parents and educators, multimedia presentations, panel discussions with influential community members with dyslexia

    Dyslexia Project Director Cheri Rae Talks and Seminars

    • Presentations at “Disability Awareness Day” events in elementary and secondary schools, SBUSD Teacher Training days, and to school board members and administrators
    • Presentations at Back-to-School Nights, PTAs, Family Health Fairs
    • Talks to Educational Therapists Association, service clubs, philanthropic organizations

    Media

    • In Print: Feature articles and op-eds about dyslexia for Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara News-Press, Santa Barbara Seasons magazine. Distribute free copies of book, DyslexiaLand: A Guide for Parents of Children with Dyslexia.
    • On the Air: Discussions of dyslexia on numerous radio stations including K-LITE, KCLU and KZSB, as well as on KEYT-TV news.
    • Online: Stories and  interviews for Santa Barbara View, Noozhawk, Independent.com. Active on dyslexia-oriented social media.
    • Video: Titles include “Father With Dyslexic Child Speak Out,” “One in Five: The Faces of Dyslexia,” “Little Free Libraries Project” (in production) “LIFE: Literacy is for Everyone (in production)