Ms. Gael O'Brien
VP, Corporate Communications
Mitsubishi Motor Co. of America
6400 Catella Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Dear Ms. O'Brien:

It has come to my attention that your company has chosen to make light of
Dyslexia, a very serious reading disability that affects as many as 15% of
the American population.

Dyslexia is not just a matter of letter or number reversal. In its most simple form, Dyslexia is a neurobiologically based difference that causes people, most often with above average intelligence, to have difficulty reading (decoding) the written word. Too many young people suffer the effects of low self-esteem because of this highly misunderstood disability.
Many adults suffer unemployment and under-employment because of an inability to process written information in an era that continues to expand and rely most heavily on "information age" technology and written media.

As the Founder and Executive Director of the Learning Disability Institute (LDI), I urge you to stop using advertisements that not only misrepresent Dyslexia but whose message is also very insensitive to the millions of people who struggle on a daily basis to cope with this disability. I think you can agree that your use of humor in relation to those with disabilities is extremely distasteful. You should realize that Mitsubishi's attitude, as reflected in the advertisements, will have a negative affect on your business.

I look forward to hearing from you and will gladly meet with you to offer my 30+ years of Learning Disabilities experience and expertise to assist you in becoming more informed about Learning Disabilities and to offer my assistance if Mitsubishi wishes to take a proactive approach to correct the insensitive misconception and damaging public relations disaster that has resulted from your advertisement.

The Learning Disability Insatiate is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide training and clinical experience in recognition, prevention and remediation of learning
disabilities/difficulties/differences.  The knowledge and goals of LDI, can help Mitsubishi rectify a serious wrong.

Thank you, in advance, for your attention in this very serious matter.

Sincerely,

Denton, M. Kurtz, M.ED, LSP, LMHC
Founder, Executive Director and Clinical Director
Learning Disability Institute
www.ldinstitute.org