Welcoming our new President

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Decoding Dyslexia Ontario (DDON) is pleased to announce the appointment of Natalie Gallimore as President, replacing long-time president Lark Barker.

Ms Gallimore is a professional researcher with over 20 years experience exploring and reporting on complex issues for the federal government, academia and business. Since 2017, Natalie has served as the DDON Research Lead, strategic analyst and ever-more-knowledgeable expert with respect to education policy and global best practices relating to dyslexia. 

Natalie authored DDON’s formal submissions to the Ontario’s curriculum consultation (2018) and to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read Inquiry (2020). In 2022, she was a key contributor in developing Decoding Dyslexia Ontario’s Parent Toolkit. 

Natalie is a fourth-generation dyslexic, with two of her three children also diagnosed dyslexic. She has been a tireless advocate and invaluable resource for the cause and we are excited that she will continue to support families and advocate for students in her new role as President.

You can hear more about Natalie’s  family experiences at 3 hours 16 minutes Right to Read Inquiry public hearing – Ottawa (English)   which recorded by the Ontario Human Rights Commission in March 2020 (days before the global Covid shutdown).

We want to thank Lark for representing families and children with dyslexia. During her time as president, DDON spearheaded many advocacy initiatives, including:

  • Speaking at both the inquiry launch and release of the OHRC’s Right to Read report 
  • The creation of the DDON Dyslexia Toolkit for Parents 
  • Support of  parent engagement through the creation of a Decoding Dyslexia Ontario- Parent Discussion group page
  • Meeting with various MPPs at Queen’s park
  • Representing dyslexic (and LD) students as part of EQAO’s MMA panel 
  • Advocating for students as part of the Literacy Alliance; consisting of IDA Ontario, Dyslexia Canada and the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
  • Assisting in the creation of two other Decoding Dyslexia chapters in Canada (New Brunswick & Quebec) 

Decoding Dyslexia Ontario past presidents:

  • 2019-2024 Lark Barker
  • 2018-2019 Riina Makk
  • 2017-2018 Janice McLeod Jones
  • 2014-2017 Annette Sang (founder)

Published by decodingdyslexiaon

Decoding Dyslexia Ontario (DDON) is a voluntary, parent-led movement driven by families who are concerned with the limited access to interventions for children with dyslexia in Ontario public schools.

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