Anne Boys-Hope

Writer | Communications advisor | Dyslexia advocate, Decoding Dyslexia Ontario

Dyslexia, Learning disabilities, Neurodiversity, Mental health impact of learning disabilities, Inclusion, Accessibility, Education, Grassroots organizing, advocacy, OHRC Right to Read inquiry, Bill 149 2019 - An Act to proclaim Dyslexia Awareness Month in Ontario

Media

Biography

To Ann Boys-Hope, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are not just buzz words - they are a way of life. As a professional communicator, a parent advocate and a member of the dyslexia community, Boys-Hope is dedicated to tearing down barriers for people with learning disabilities.

An experienced (15+ years) communications advisor, she helps clients create accessible content by applying the principles of plain language writing and inclusive design. Recent clients include Transport Canada, the Public Service Commission and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Boys-Hope is also an advocate, communications advisor, and parent volunteer with Decoding Dyslexia-Ontario, the province's only grass-roots, parent-led, voluntary organization working to create awareness and support for the 1 in 10 children with dyslexia in Ontario schools. She organizes community events, such as a presentation by reading expert Nancy Young in October 2019. She helped develop our response to the Ontario Human Rights Commission Right To Read inquiry (October 3, 2019), and provided input into the development of a dyslexia awareness bill introduced in the Ontario legislature November 25, 2019. She also participated in a press conference at Queen's Park with Ottawa Centre MPP Joel Harden and other dyslexia advocates:

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-149

Boys-Hope has an MSc in Social Science (gender studies) from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) and I'm a life-long learner. She recently completed a certificate in leadership and inclusion from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

Additional Titles and Affiliations

Communications advisor, Decoding Dyslexia Ontario

Grassroots parents organization advocating for early dyslexia diagnosis and evidence-based reading instruction in Ontario schools - so that all children can learn to read.

Past Talks

Announcement of Bill 149 2019 - Private Member's Bill to proclaim October Dyslexia Awareness Month in Ontario

Press conference [Press release: http://www.joelharden.ca/ottawa_centre_mpp_announces_bill_to_proclaim_october_as_dyslexia_awareness_month]

Queens Park, November 25, 2019

Expertise

  • Neurodiversity
  • Education advocacy
  • Grassroots organizing
  • Dyslexia
  • Learning disabilities
  • Mental health impact of learning disabilities
  • Inclusion
  • Accessibility

Education/Éducation

  • University of Edinburgh
    Social Science (Gender studies)
    (MSc) Master of Social Science, 1995
  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
    Diversity & Inclusion
    Leadership and Inclusion, 2020