The European Parliament, in reference to the European Anti-Discrimination Law and the Lisbon Strategy,

A)    whereas it is estimated that written language disabilities e.g. dyslexia affect from six to ten percent of the population; the EU Parliament sees discrimination occur not only in employment but also in access to goods and services such as banking, education and health; in reference to its resolution of 5 December 2007 on the follow-up of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All; while research show that a great proportion of people do not optimally benefit from learning by reading; and while even among children the phenomenon dyslexia is not yet universally recognized, the adults' situation is unattended to in all member countries,

B)    whereas poor recognition by employers, authorities and trainers of dys-learners among adult working age population leads to waste of talent, work force and to financial loss in business on the national level, as well as financial loss and psychological frustration and illness on the personal level,

C)    whereas dyslexia leads to danger of underachievement, unemployment and social exclusion on the basis of negative learning experiences, in a learning society it is increased by the growing demands for lifelong learning both at work and in private life, and

D)    whereas the processes causing dyslexia, and the indifferent and discouraging way these people are met in society, affect a person's whole scope of life, research and information on the situation of adults must be stepped up,

asks the Commission and Council

1.    to draw up a charter for Adult Dys-learners, pleading for a strategy in the Member countries to

1.1.  recognize adults' dyslexia,

1.2.  personalise the approach to it in working life, and social life;

1.3.  observe and take action regarding the need for accessibility to services, and adult training and education, and

2.    to train adult trainers, trade unions and employers in facts and tools to allow dys-learners to use their talents, creativity and innovativeness as fully as possible to benefit society, working life, and for their personal fulfilment.

To achieve this, the Member countries should

* devise systems to inform staff in employment services, health care services and social services, and the general public about the special needs in meeting with dys-learners,

* devise, make accessible and mainstream recognition, research and support for dyslexia in all age groups, especially adult population in both work and private life, provided that the Member countries, make proper testing and diagnostic services for adults available and accessible,

* be aware of the range and benefits  of help tools for dys-learners available for both work and learning,

* make proper rehabilitation available and accessible,

* encourage effective recognition and full use of the capabilities of dys-learners,

* design effective strategies for APEL, and learning at work, meeting also the needs of dys-learners,

* promote a European network on dyslexia among adult population, in order to collect and share information, and promote coordination of cross-border actions especially in working life.

THIS C O N C E P T  DECLARATION WAS HANDED TO THE EU PARLIAMENT IN 2009 BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM CYPRUS, TURKEY, FINLAND, SWEDEN, NORWAY, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, ITALY AND CHECHIA. At the of of the EU project Dys-Learn on  A D U L T S  with dyslexia.