THE ISAAC MACDONALD MEMORIAL BURSARY
FOR STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA
Learning was always important to Isaac MacDonald. He was excited to start Grade 1 and to learn how to read so he could read for others after supper! Isaac wasn’t learning to read though, and a later diagnosis of a severe learning disability was hard. Isaac did not like the term “disability”, preferring “difference”, or simply dyslexia. With early intervention and the support of Special Ed in elementary school, Isaac did learn to read, albeit slowly and with effort.
Isaac hit his stride as an adult student. He only became comfortable with academic accommodation in university when he realized that the purpose of such accommodations was to minimize the impact of dyslexia and to ensure that assessments of his knowledge were accurate.
In addition to using available strategies and accommodations to access learning, Isaac developed both his use of colour, and of parentheses around subscripts, in mathematical formulas.
He thought a lot about the ways he could access learning, sharing with professors the ways he learned best, and promoted dyslexic-friendly approaches and their benefits to all learners.
Isaac MacDonald's career goals were to develop computer apps that would increase access to learning for those with dyslexia. This bursary is to further these goals by providing support to students with dyslexia. It is the hope that the bursary award will provide dyslexic students the funds for a psycho-educational assessment, if needed, and supporting technologies. This bursary promotes the right to learning for all students, and the need in our world for the contributions of those with dyslexia.
Eligibility
Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria. Applicants for the Bursary must:
Be a Dalhousie University student.
Provide any relevant supporting documentation that you can provide regarding your dyslexia or related access needs. (This may include, but is not limited to, referrals, excerpts from assessments, registration with Dalhousie Accessibility or governmental agencies, prescriptions, etc., related to your dyslexia. If no documentation is available, please explain why this is the case in your written statement.)
A typed statement, or a hand-written statement that has been scanned or photographed, describing your situation. (The statement should be between one paragraph and one full page in length.)
Be enrolled as a full-time student in the academic session in which they are applying. (Students who are not registered will not be considered for emergency financial assistance)
*Full-time studies are considered to be 9 credits are more. If you are taking a reduced course load due to disability, you are still eligible!