NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly 1,000 people filled New York City’s Flatiron Plaza on October 20 to experience firsthand what it’s like to live with learning and attention issues, like dyslexia and ADHD. The event, “#BeUnderstood: Make the Invisible Visible,” is part of Understood.org’s #BeUnderstood campaign in support of Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and ADHD Awareness Month this October. A video of highlights from the event is available here.
Learning and attention issues can be difficult for many to understand. The event, co-hosted by Understood and the Ad Council, invited visitors to interact with simulations and art installations to help them see the challenges that 1 in 5 kids with learning and attention issues face every day.
The event is the latest in an ongoing partnership between the Ad Council and Understood, a program of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Through the support of the Ad Council, Understood encourages parents to better understand and support children with learning and attention issues. Many people mistakenly believe that children with these challenges are going through a phase or “being lazy.” When these issues go without identification and support, children struggle: students with specific learning disabilities drop out of school at three times the rate of all students.*
“Many kids with learning and attention issues feel misunderstood,” said Mimi Corcoran, president and CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). “Learning and attention issues may not be as visible as other issues, but they are just as real, and just as deserving of universal understanding and support.”
“We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in our event and experience the frustrations of life with a learning or attention issue,” said Lisa Sherman, President & CEO of the Ad Council. “Living with these issues can be challenging, but the fantastic resources at Understood.org can help.”
Those who didn’t attend the event can try the simulation online, and share a photo or message of support using hashtag #BeUnderstood.
Throughout October, the #BeUnderstood campaign is supporting awareness for learning and attention issues through a variety of initiatives, including a Facebook profile filter and the release of an inspirational video series featuring celebrity mentors such as Olympian Simone Biles and Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom. Content in support of the campaign has been shared on social media by WWE, Alyssa Milano and others. The campaign is supported by Understood’s 15 founding nonprofit partners, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Ad Council. For more information, visit Be.Understood.org.
Understood.org
Created by 15 nonprofit partners, Understood.org is a free online resource and community supporting parents of the 1 in 5 kids with learning and attention issues. Understood empowers millions of parents through personalized resources, daily access to experts, interactive tools and a supportive online and on-the-ground community. Winner of the 2015 Webby Award for Best Family/Parenting Site and the 2016 Cynopsis Award for Best Branded Digital Platform, Understood is the flagship program of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). For more information and resources, visit Understood.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Ad Council
The Ad Council brings together the most creative minds in advertising and media to address the most worthy causes. Its innovative, pro bono social good campaigns raise awareness. They inspire action. They save lives. To learn more, visit Adcouncil.org, follow the Ad Council’s communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.
DATA SOURCE:
* National Center for Learning Disabilities – 2017 The State of Learning Disabilities: Understanding the 1 in 5 report
http://www.ncld.org/the-state-of-learning-disabilities-understanding-the-1-in-5
Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/590437/The_Ad_Council_BeUnderstood_Simulation.jpg
SOURCE The Ad Council
