Isaac MacDonald Memorial Bursary Inaugural Celebration

Are you interested in Dyslexia and learning? Curious about a new bursary for students with Dyslexia? Then this event is for you!

About the event

The Isaac MacDonald Memorial Bursary Inaugural Celebration is a heartfelt tribute to the Computer Science student's memory while announcing The Isaac MacDonald Memorial Bursary for Students with Dyslexia.

Through this event, we will honor Isaac's spirit with reflections from his mother and one of his professors from the Faculty of Computer Science, Dr. Srini Sampalli. Additionally, Dr. Joan Backman, a psychologist specializing in neuropsychological and psycho-educational assessment, will cover the changes in education regarding learning disabilities. Lastly, the Student Accessibility Centre will talk about Dalhousie services available for those with a learning disability.

The event will conclude with light refreshments, providing an opportunity for those touched by Isaac's life to come together and share cherished memories.

About Isaac

Learning was always important to Isaac MacDonald. He was excited to start Grade 1 and to learn how to read so he could read for others. However, Isaac wasn’t learning to read and later a diagnosis of a severe learning disability was found to be the cause. Isaac did not like the term “disability”, preferring “difference”, or simply dyslexia. With early intervention and the support of Special Ed in elementary school, Isaac did learn to read, slowly and with effort.

Isaac hit his stride as an adult student. He only became comfortable with academic accommodation in university when he realized that the purpose of such accommodations was to minimize the impact of dyslexia and to ensure that assessments of his knowledge were accurate.

Isaac MacDonald's career goal was to develop computer apps that would increase access to learning for those with dyslexia. The Isaac MacDonald Memorial Bursary for Students with Dyslexia is to further these goals by providing support to students with dyslexia. It is the hope that the bursary award will provide dyslexic students the funds for a psycho-educational assessment if needed, and supporting technologies.

Host or Publisher Dalhousie's Faculty of Computer Science