The Cook Islands Dyslexia Society is on a mission to raise awareness about dyslexia Photo: Radio Cook Islands
A Cook Islands health advocate has made it her mission to identify students who are dyslexic in order to bridge the gap between parents, schools and the education system.
Dyslexia is not an obvious disability and very few people especially in the Cook Islands know of it and how it affects a person.
In response, Jean-Marie Francis founded the Cook Islands Dyslexia Society Inc (CIDSI) in 2021 and has lived experience raising a daughter with dyslexia.
The society received funding from the Australian High Commission and UNESCO for the one-to-one tutoring programme which is changing lives across the Cook Islands.
She's also leading assessments in Mauke, Atiu, Mangaia and Mitiaro to empower teachers and parents on how to spot and best serve students.
Results from the survey are expected by the end of the year.
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon spoke to Jean-Marie Francis
