Iansyst, a Cambridge-based company specialising in assistive technologies for conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia, is currently running the 2009 iansyst Dyslexia-Friendly Best Practice Award, a competition aimed at recognising and celebrating best practice for dyslexia provision in education. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Strengths of Dyslexic Students,” and the winning school gets a laptop and appropriate software worth more than £1,000.

They are looking for entries from SENCos and non-specialist teachers working with young dyslexic people in the UK to demonstrate their school’s commitment to supporting and nurturing the strengths of dyslexic students.

 To enter, teachers simply have to submit a 350-400 word description of how they work to raise the awareness of dyslexia, and to establish a dyslexia-friendly environment at their schools.

 The closing date for the award is Friday 4th December 2009, so if you feel that your child’s school deserves recognition for the work they do towards making life easier for their dyslexic pupils, do encourage them to submit an entry.

 The first prize, worth more than £1,000, includes a Dell laptop and assistive technology software such as Mind Genius mind mapping software, Audio Notetaker, text-to-speech software ClaroRead, and VeritySpell for spell checking. Two runner-ups will receive the latest Toshiba G8 mobile phone and CapturaTalk scan and speak software.

 For more information about the Dyslexia-Friendly Best Practice Award and How to Apply, please visit www.dyslexic.com/award.