Africa to Spotlight Dyslexia as Landmark Conference Heads to Nairobi

Kenyatta International Conference Centre-KICC. [File, Standard] Nairobi is set to host a groundbreaking gathering on neurodiversity as more than 300 delegates converge for the Dyslexia Rising Africa Conference 2025 (DRAC25). The August 20-21 meeting at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) will be held under the theme "Rewriting the Neurodiversity Narrative- From Stigma to Strength."Bloo The two-day conference will bring together policymakers, educators, researchers, innovators, corporate leaders, parents, and youth to confront the urgent but often neglected challenge of learning differences such as dyslexia. The event is organized by Bloom Dyslexia Centre in collaboration with Dyslexia Organization Kenya, Dyslexia Tanzania, Africa Dyslexia Organization (Ghana), Black Literacy Matters (USA), and KISE. Globally, dyslexia affects between 10-15 percent of school-aged children, yet in Africa, limited awareness, poor diagnostic services, and inadequate teacher training leave millions of learners unsupported. The result is widespread stigma, high dropout rates, and restricted economic opportunities. "In Kenya and across the continent, dyslexia remains poorly understood and underdiagnosed. Only a fraction of learners who need support receive it, leaving many to struggle in silence," said Esther Muchiri Wamai, Founder and CEO of Bloom Dyslexia Centre. She emphasized that DRAC25 is the first pan-African conference devoted solely to neurodiversity, with the mission of transforming dyslexia from a perceived weakness into a source of strength. "Its goal is to drive education reform, influence policy action, and open up opportunities for workforce inclusion," she added. The program will feature keynote addresses on inclusive education policies, teacher training, community engagement, workplace inclusion, multilingual learning, and the role of sports and technology in supporting learners with dyslexia. Interactive workshops and panel discussions will provide practical tools on evidence-based literacy instruction, mental health support, and assistive technologies. A highlight of the conference will be the inaugural Neurodiversity Inclusion Awards. The awards will celebrate educators, advocates, organizations, and youth champions leading the way in building inclusive systems across Africa. "Millions of children and adults face systemic barriers because of how their brains process language," said Wamai. READ ALSO: Baba Talisha shares daughter's autism diagnosis in heartfelt post "DRAC25 is about shifting that narrative-embedding neurodiversity into education, policy, and economic inclusion. The awards will spotlight those breaking barriers for future generations. "she added.

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Africa to Spotlight Dyslexia as Landmark Conference Heads to Nairobi

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