A Summer of Connection and Learning in Africa

By Dr. Julie Washington
Professor & Interim Dean, UC Irvine School of Education

This summer, I had the honor of traveling to Ghana and Kenya to deliver keynote addresses at two inaugural conferences focused on dyslexia and neurodiversity.

In Accra, I was invited by Rosaline Kyere-Nartey, founder of the Africa Dyslexia Association, to open the first-ever Africa Dyslexia Conference. The two-day gathering, themed “Shifting Minds. Inspiring Action.”, brought together educators, families, and researchers committed to building awareness and resources for children with dyslexia.

Soon after, I returned to Nairobi to provide the opening keynote at the Africa Rising Dyslexia Conference, held at the Kenya Institute for Special Education (KISE). Co-sponsored by the Bloom Dyslexia Centre, the Office of the Government Spokesperson, and KISE, the conference carried the theme “Rewriting the Neurodiversity Narrative: From Stigma to Strength.” Similar to Ghana, the energy in the room was remarkable—these events marked significant first steps in strengthening support systems for neurodiverse learners.

Julie Washington (right) with Dr. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education at the University of Ghana

Julie Washington (center) with two professors from the College of Education at the University of Ghana

These trips also opened doors for meaningful collaboration. In Ghana, I met with Dr. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, the Provost of the College of Education at the University of Ghana. Together, we discussed ways our faculty and students at the UC Irvine School of Education might partner with colleagues in Accra and beyond. We are already working with the Africa Dyslexia Organization and the University of Ghana on a proposal requested by the Minister of Education to fund future initiatives. This represents an extraordinary opportunity to expand the global impact of our work and contribute to building resources in under-resourced contexts.

For me, the most powerful takeaway was simple: I learned more from the people I met than they will ever learn from me. We share many of the same challenges in education, particularly in special education, and there is so much we can accomplish together. Moving forward, my priority is to co-create solutions in ways that honor the culture and context of our partners.

I returned to UC Irvine inspired—not only by the resilience of the families I met, but also by the possibility of forging partnerships that will benefit children across the globe.