[Editor’s Note: When I returned to Santa Barbara for good in 1990, I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of Joan Esposito and her remarkable organization. Although Ms. Esposito is a past president of LDA-CA (California’s state-level Learning Disabilities Association), DARC is what would be called a local agency. It principally serves Santa Barbara and it’s surrounding counties, yet as you will see below it’s reach extends quite beyond that. Even more important than that has been the organization’s uncompromising advocacy on behalf of young people with learning disabilities unserved or–frankly–ill-served by their schools. We have always been a believer in the “local organization.” DARC is an example of one that, although tiny, is mighty both in its example and its service to its community. Organizations such as this are among this country’s true points of light; Joan and Les Esposito among our heroes.
Attending countless IEP’s and public meetings, and frequently consulted (and in some cases reviled) by public officials, and the author of numerous position papers, Joan and DARC are ferocious defenders of young people without resources and who in many cases have been abused by the educational system which was supposed to enable them to achieve their full potential. –Hod Gray]
Now celebrating its eighteenth year of operation, the Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center (DARC) in Santa Barbara, CA, has served over 35,000 clients and mailed thousands of information packets to people throughout California, the nation, and the world. Ninety percent of the clients who come to the center are directed to further help through private or government programs.
The center provides direct one-on-one services to adults and children affected with dyslexia, attention disorders and other learning disabilities. The center also provides services to the families and to parents with children affected with dyslexia, attention disorders and other learning disabilities. In addition the center conducts outreach and training seminars for public and private schools, for the juvenile court systems, for drug and alcohol programs, for family and social service programs, for literacy programs, and for homeless and mission programs. Other services offered by the center include the provision of an extensive book, video and audio library featuring the most up to date material on dyslexia, attention disorders and other learning disabilities.
Established in 1990 by Founder and Program Director Joan T. Esposito and Executive Director Leslie V. Esposito, DARC opened its office in July 1991 in Santa Barbara, California.
Within The Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center’s extensive library you will find video tapes, audio tapes, books, newspaper and magazine articles, laws, tests and much, much more.
The library is open to the public during the Center’s regular office hours. We encourage you to take advantage of The Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center’s wonderful resources. Our staff will be happy to help you find what you need and answer any questions you might have.
Below is a partial list of what the library offers to check out or review at your leisure at the Dyslexia Awareness & Resource Center:
-Hundreds of books for teachers, professionals, parents and children.
-More than 100 video tapes for teachers, professionals, parents and children.
-An assortment of educational reference materials.
-Hundreds of magazines and periodicals.
-Audio tapes of speakers, conferences and programs.
