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Irlen Syndrome Foundation

From Irlen.wiki, an independent record of the Irlen Institute, its colored overlays and filters, and what researchers say

Researched and compiled by the Irlen Wiki editorial team · First published · Revised

In brief: The Irlen Syndrome Foundation, incorporated in 1996 as the Learning Research Association, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at the Irlen Institute’s Long Beach address that funds scholarships and awareness work; it is a separate entity from the Institute.[2][1]

A note on independence: Irlen.wiki is an independent record compiled from irlen.com, irlensyndrome.org, public records and published research. It is not operated by the Irlen Institute, sells nothing and gives no medical or educational advice. The Institute’s statements are attributed to it and shown beside independent assessments. Sourcing rules: editorial policy.

What it is

The Irlen Syndrome Foundation is a nonprofit that says it aims to raise awareness of Irlen Syndrome, promote solutions, support research and give financial help to people who cannot afford Irlen services.[1] It is a separate legal entity from the Irlen Institute but shares its Long Beach address and its subject.[2][3] The Institute’s corporate stewardship page lists the foundation among the causes its staff support.[4]

History and name

The foundation was incorporated in California on 5 February 1996 as the Learning Research Association, and the IRS has determined it is a 501(c)(3) public charity, federal tax ID 33-0409023.[2] Its history page says it began calling itself the Irlen Syndrome Foundation in 2014, while its blog post of 10 January 2015 says the new name came at the start of 2015; both dates are reported here.[1][5]

Board

The foundation’s board page lists the following directors, with roles as it describes them.[6]

Irlen Syndrome Foundation board, as listed 9 November 2026
NameOfficeOther role stated
Sandra Tosta, PhDPresidentHead of research for Perceptual Development Corporation at the Irlen Institute International Headquarters
Jennifer Tobkin, Esq.SecretaryDeputy City Attorney, City of Los Angeles
Robert Irlen, Esq., MEETreasurerCorporate counsel, secretary and CFO for Perceptual Development Corporation
Melissa Bersofsky, Ed.MDirectorDevelopment, Loyola Law School
Hansen ChamplinDirectorInvestment department, Western Federal Credit Union
Racheal McCabeDirectorDevelopment, Cedars-Sinai
Cherie Hudson, LCSWDirectorSchool social worker, LAUSD

Two directors are described as working for Perceptual Development Corporation at the Institute’s headquarters, which links the foundation and the Institute in practice.[6] Family relationships among people named Irlen are not stated on the pages reviewed and are not inferred here.

Programs

The foundation says it has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships for diagnostic testing and Irlen Spectral Filters for people from low-income households. It also funds what it calls Irlen Pilot Schools and research, and publishes toolkits for parents and educators.[7][8]

Irlen Syndrome Awareness Week

The foundation runs Irlen Syndrome Awareness Week each October; in 2026 it ran from 19 to 23 October, with a fundraising goal of $15,000, local events such as mini-screenings and seminars, and social media campaigns.[7] The awareness page states that the syndrome affects about 15% of the general population, figures that differ slightly from the Institute’s.[7][9]

How its claims compare

The foundation’s articles describe Irlen research as empirical evidence and colored filters as the most effective intervention.[10][11] Independent reviews and professional bodies have reached a different conclusion; see scientific assessment.[12][13]

Common questions

Is the Irlen Syndrome Foundation the same as the Irlen Institute?

No. It is a separate nonprofit, though it shares the same Long Beach address.

When was the Irlen Syndrome Foundation founded?

Incorporated 5 February 1996 as the Learning Research Association.

Is the Irlen Syndrome Foundation a charity?

Yes, a 501(c)(3) public charity, tax ID 33-0409023.

Further pages

Citations

  1. ^ a b c History and mission. Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  2. ^ a b c Financials. Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  3. ^ Contact. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  4. ^ Corporate stewardship. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  5. ^ New year. New name. Renewed mission (10 January 2015). Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  6. ^ a b Board of directors. Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  7. ^ a b c Irlen Syndrome Awareness Week (ISAW). Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  8. ^ Irlen Syndrome Foundation: home page. Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  9. ^ About the Irlen Institute. Irlen Institute (irlen.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  10. ^ How to get Irlen glasses (12 March 2024). Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  11. ^ Everything you need to know about the different names for Irlen Syndrome (4 March 2022). Irlen Syndrome Foundation (irlensyndrome.org). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  12. ^ Irlen syndrome: systematic review and level of evidence analysis. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 77(3):194–207 (2019). Miyasaka JDS et al., via PubMed. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  13. ^ RANZCO position statement on Irlen lenses (2025). Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Retrieved 9 November 2026.