AUSTIN, TX – Three remarkable students have been chosen as the 2008 Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic® Regional Unit of the South Central States scholarship recipients. All three have some form of dyslexia and chose to accommodate their learning disability by using RFB&D® ’s audio textbooks only to find the difference it made in their education was life-changing.
One overcame his frustration of never understanding what he read because he used so much energy to get to the next word in the book and is now performing at his highest level with a 3.78 GPA. Another realized he could keep up with his peers more easily if he changed his study habits – since then, his confidence level has improved his leadership abilities in his band’s student organization, his community service and his religion. The last winner learned to use her obstacles as ways to sense compassion in others which she shows through her art work and appreciates the fact that her grandmother’s volunteer work recording books at one of RFB&D’s studios has come full circle in saving her and her sister’s academic lives.
A committee of judges reviewed the applications in early January and the results of the $1,000 awards were announced to each of the following winners this past week:
• Kevin Luecke, a Senior at St. Michaels Catholic Academy in Austin, TX, son of Jane Peddicard and John Luecke, will be honored at the Regional Unit of the South Central States Celebration Luncheon at the Omni Downtown on Feb. 6 at 11:30 a.m. He will speak at the event and describe how he began to move forward in his education. "Someone once told me that reading with dyslexia is like walking backwards; it’s possible but never comfortable…Getting books on CD from RFB&D made a world of difference," said Kevin.
• Steven Mintz, a Senior at Greenhill School in Addison, TX is the son of Sheryl and Howard Mintz. Steven said he remembers the long nights he spent reading with barely any comprehension. He thought his system was intact until he became a musician and realized he was an auditory learner which made him try RFB&D’s audiobooks. "Right from the start, I realized a significant increase in comprehension… there has been a steady increase in test taking abilities, essay writing skills, and class grades," Steven said.
• Jessica Adams, of Houston and now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, is the daughter of Joseph and Gail Adams. In her scholarship essay she recalled what she said were painful memories of her struggles. "There is always denial about a disability… which is another self-conscious dimension of learning differences that I constantly struggle to overcome." Later, Jessica said that she has ironically been inspired by her disability and she attributes her success to the goals she made to overcome dyslexia.
The Regional Unit of the South Central States of RFB&D is celebrating a 10 year anniversary of its studio building in Austin and the expansion of its program to serve students in Texas, Arkansas & Oklahoma at the Celebration Luncheon on Feb. 6. The other winners will be recognized at events near their hometowns.
RFB&D scholarships show support to students who consistently strive to do their best while facing a print disability that would cause them to need the nonprofit’s accommodation. RFB&D’s playback devices and educational materials in audio format are supported by research. A John Hopkins University study shows the materials increase content acquisition by 38% for students with learning disabilities and difficulties.
For more information about RFB&D’s Learning Through Listening Program, the scholarship or the event, please call 512-323-9390 or visit www.rfbdscs.org .
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic® (RFB&D®), a nonprofit volunteer organization is the nation’s educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability. Our mission is to create opportunities for individual success by providing, and promoting the effective use of, accessible educational materials. Our recorded textbooks and services help people with print disabilities fulfill their educational and professional dreams by allowing them to learn through listening.