A campaigner is encouraging parents and education staff to discuss dyslexia at coffee mornings to aid her case, which she will be taking to Tynwald.

Julia Furner, a nurse from Kirk Michael whose daughter is dyslexic, believes children with the learning condition are being let down by the education system.

Her online campaign has gained nearly 800 signatures that urge the government to sign the ’Made in Dyslexia’ pledge. She plans to present it to politicians on Tynwald Day.

By signing the pledge, the government would promise to carry out earlier tests to identify schoolchildren with dyslexia, have repeat screening tests on all students, and make training for teachers a priority.

She is holding an education staff coffee evening at The Family Library, in Douglas, on May 4 from 6pm to 8.30pm. It is open to those who work with dyslexic children.

A public coffee evening will be held at the same time and place the following day.

The aim of the meetings is to provide a supportive environment to gain public opinion about dyslexia in education with the goal of improving education for dyslexic pupils here.

A raffle will take place in aid of the Family Library to buy provisions for dyslexia.

Search here: www.change.org/DyslexiaPetition