Recognising Learning Disability Week: June 16–22, 2025
North Regional TAFE is proud to support Learning Disability Week 2025, a national initiative that shines a spotlight on the experiences, challenges, and achievements of people living with learning disabilities.
This year’s theme centres on inclusion, accessibility, and the power of understanding. At NR TAFE, we are committed to building a learning environment where every student feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
Understanding Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are neurological differences that affect how a person receives, processes, stores, or communicates information. They are not related to intelligence, motivation, or effort, but rather to the way the brain functions. These differences can impact reading, writing, numeracy, memory, attention, coordination, and organisational skills.
Common types of learning disabilities include:
- Dyslexia – affects reading and language-based processing skills. Individuals may struggle with reading fluency, decoding words, spelling, and comprehension.
- Dyscalculia – impacts the ability to understand numbers and learn maths facts. Students may find it difficult to perform mental maths or recognise patterns and sequences.
- Dysgraphia – relates to handwriting and fine motor skills. Learners may have trouble with writing clearly, organising thoughts on paper, or spelling.
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – affects how the brain interprets sounds, especially speech. Students with APD may find it hard to follow verbal instructions or distinguish between similar sounds.
- Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) – typically involves strengths in verbal skills but challenges in visual-spatial, motor, and social skills.
Many individuals may also experience overlapping conditions such as ADHD, which can influence focus, memory, and impulse control.
To learn more about specific learning disabilities and effective support strategies, we encourage staff, students, and families to visit Dislexia – SPELD Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Inclusive Learning at NR TAFE
NR TAFE recognises the importance of inclusive teaching practices and student support systems. Our dedicated AccessAbility(opens in a new tab) team works closely with students to identify learning needs and implement reasonable adjustments to help remove barriers to education.
This can include:
- Alternative assessment formats
- Assistive technologies
- Additional time or breaks during assessments
- Learning support services and mentoring
We believe that by raising awareness and embracing diverse ways of learning, we can create a stronger, more compassionate education system — one that benefits everyone.
During Learning Disability Week, we invite staff, students, and community members to learn more, share stories, and commit to ongoing inclusion in every classroom.
Only I Can Understand
Written by Benny – Aged 11 years
Only I can understand
how it feels to read in front of my classmates
and be terrified to make a mistake.
Only I can understand
the reason why it takes forever to read a book
when my classmates take a week.
Only I can understand
the words I write on the paper
that no one else can read.
Only I can understand
what it is like to read a question
when the words jump around the page.
Only I can understand
what it is like to work for hours
when other kids work for 30 minutes.
Only I can understand ridiculous puzzles, absurd
equations, extreme math, and the meaning of science
because my brain sees things in a different way.
Only I can understand
what it feels like to be judged for needing help.
Kids who need help are not dumb
but only I can understand.
I can understand
because I am Dyslexic.
Because I am dyslexic
I can understand a lot of things
that only I can understand.