Decoding Dyslexia: The Grassroots Movement Making a Difference!

Just in case you haven't yet heard, there is a movement sweeping the country here in the U.S. that definitely is making real waves AND moving things in the right direction for individuals with dyslexia. This movement is called Decoding Dyslexia, and it is already making a difference in the push for dyslexia legislation and support for parents, interested teachers and others who serve children and adults challenged with dyslexia.

The Decoding Dyslexia organization, started in late 2011 by a group of New Jersey parents, is connecting and empowering parents across the country, providing them with support and current information about proposed and pending dyslexia legislation. At this writing, there are 46 states that have each established a Decoding Dyslexia group for their individual state. As recently as last April 2013, there were only about 20 of these DD groups. Since that time, the efforts of like-minded parents have grown and combined to significantly help improve dyslexia services in schools throughout our country.

Parents of children with dyslexia or adults who want to see that services for dyslexia are improved in their state is encouraged to join their local Decoding Dyslexia group. When you decide to join, please be ready to provide support and encouragement for the cause and not just "take" the support and information offered there.

While you are at it, check to see if your DD group has a Facebook page. You can use some of the resources provided at the end of this article to help you with this. If so, LIKE the DD group's fan page and join in the social media discussion to learn all about the up-to-the-minute situation with dyslexia services in your state. You'll also find wonderful resources posted there, too. Once again, be prepared to offer and post current information, strategies and resources to the Facebook page to help other parents and adults who need your support. It's all about helping one another, supporting one another to make this kind of progress a reality.

Finally, there are some closed and open DD Facebook groups available to join. Again, you can use the resources to follow here or search for "Decoding Dyslexia" in a Facebook search box to locate these groups and all DD Facebook pages, too. You might be surprised to see just how many groups there are helping to raise awareness and provide much-needed support to families challenged with dyslexia!

Happy reading!

Sources and Additional Dyslexia Resources to Help

Decoding Dyslexia
This is the home page for the national Decoding Dyslexia website.
http://www.decodingdyslexia.net/

Locate Your State's Decoding Dyslexia Organization
Each Decoding Dyslexia State Movement has a FaceBook page and many have websites and other social media outlets. Currently, 43 states have a Decoding Dyslexia group. To find yours, visit http://www.decodingdyslexia.net/dd-states.html.

List of Decoding Dyslexia Facebook Pages and Groups
This is a direct link to all Decoding Dyslexia Facebook Pages and Groups
https://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?init=quick&q=Decoding%20Dyslexia&tas=0.8485411591827869

LegiScan
Follow progress on all dyslexia (and other) legislation across the U.S. by visiting this website. You can set up alerts so that notices of particular legislative progress can be emailed to you.
http://legiscan.com/

What Can YOU Do to Help Dyslexia Legislation Become a Reality?
This additional article (of February 8, 2014) from our blog contains legislative updates regarding dyslexia bills and additional resources for parents, teachers and other adults who want to help children with the challenges of dyslexia.
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-can-you-do-to-help-dyslexia.html

Decoding Dyslexia – Empowering Parents Concerned about Dyslexia Services in Schools by Lyn Pollard of Learning Ally
https://www.learningally.org/decoding-dyslexia-empowering-parents-concerned-about-dyslexia-services-in-schools/

For information on customizable reading tools for ADHD & other reading challenges:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
Map Resources at http://www.mapresources.com/usa-maps/usa-black-white-maps.html
ESL Voices at http://esl-voices.com/2014/02/22/video-games-a-possible-cure-for-dyslexia/
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

What Can YOU Do to Help Dyslexia Legislation Become a Reality?

In January, we published a blog article entitled New Legislation & Research-Based Tools to Help Struggling Readers. The focus of the article was on the recent efforts of Congressmen Bill Cassidy, M.D. for federal dyslexia legislation.

Dr. Cassidy is the Co-Chair of the House Dyslexia Caucus, who submitted a resolution (H.Res. 456, 113th Congress) on January 10, 2014, calling for the U.S. House of Representatives to acknowledge the impact of dyslexia and urge schools and educational agencies to address its impact on students. This resolution at the federal level has the very real potential to affect the nation, which would be a tremendous help to our nation's children challenged with dyslexia or other reading differences.

The response to our article with its news about this resolution was exceptional, with many readers asking, “What else can I do to help make dyslexia laws a reality in my state and for my child?” Although the article included basic information about contacting state legislators to express voter opinion on the topic of dyslexia legislation, readers wanted to do even more.

What YOU Can Do---Now!

In addition to contacting one’s U.S. legislators via phone or email to give your opinion on H.Res. 456, it is just as important to become and stay current with developments concerning dyslexia legislation at the state level, both passed and pending. In that way, you will be accurately informed and have much more credibility when speaking to your state representatives and senators as well as other interested individuals in your local community.

How can you access information about current developments on this topic? Keep in mind that the dyslexia laws and bills that have been introduced and passed are the direct result of parents and caring teachers who came together in a grass roots movement called Decoding Dyslexia. There is definitely strength in numbers, so if you want to change things in your state, find and become active in your state’s chapter of Decoding Dyslexia. If such a group has not yet been established in your state, seriously consider taking the needed steps to create one. Currently, 43 states have a Decoding Dyslexia group. (See link below to help you locate your state's group.)

Keeping in contact with your Decoding Dyslexia organization will allow you to be accurately informed and even more effective in your communications with legislators. Your group will help provide you with the latest information about dyslexia legislation in your state. In addition, each of the 43 states’ Decoding Dyslexia groups has a page on Facebook, the popular social media site. Locate your Decoding Dyslexia group’s Facebook page and “Like” it to stay abreast of the latest news about dyslexia---both statewide and nationally.

In these ways, you will have a hand in helping to affect the writing and submission of resolutions on behalf of citizens who struggle daily with dyslexia. Remember that 1 in 5 U.S. school-age children is estimated to have some form of dyslexia. They are counting on your help!

Dyslexia Legislation Update

At this writing, 12 states have dyslexia laws. In addition, 7 other states are working to get dyslexia laws passed (have bills/resolutions making their way through legislatures).

New Jersey
New Jersey took a unique approach in creating its legislation. Instead of a single large law, the state’s legislators divided dyslexia legislation into 6 separate bills. Two have already passed, and the third – which would require public schools to screen for dyslexia – looks like it may very well pass.

Tennessee
“Dyslexia Is Real” Bill Introduced in Tennessee Legislature (Jan. 22, 2014, Nashville, TN)
After years of advocacy and discussion regarding the needs of students with reading disorders, House Bill 1735 was filed by State Representative and House Majority Whip, Cameron Sexton and Senate Bill 2002 by Senator Becky Duncan Massey. Efforts to pass a bill to benefit students with dyslexia picked up steam after members of the Tennessee branch of the International Dyslexia Association joined forces with members of Decoding Dyslexia-Tennessee and other interested individuals to form the Dyslexia Legislative Alliance.

New York
New York State has pending legislation for Dyslexia in the Senate (S2496) and Assembly (A2775).

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a dyslexia pilot program bill in the works, SB 873.

Illinois
Illinois introduced a bill in October 2013, HB 3700, to require public schools to screen students early for dyslexia or other reading disabilities.

Missouri
On January 27, 2014, MO State Representative Eric Burlison was the first to propose meaningful legislation to help Missouri families dealing with dyslexia. House Bill 1614 was heard by the MO House Elementary and Secondary Education committee on February 19, 2014. Status of the bill is pending.

Helpful Resources for Dyslexia Legislation

Decoding Dyslexia
Each Decoding Dyslexia State Movement has a FaceBook page and many have websites and other social media outlets. Currently, 43 states have a Decoding Dyslexia group. To find yours, visit http://www.decodingdyslexia.net/dd-states.html.

LegiScan
Follow progress on all dyslexia (and other) legislation across the U.S. by visiting this website.
http://legiscan.com/

Dyslegia: A Legislative Information Site
New US & State Laws about Dyslexia and Reading Education
http://www.dyslegia.com/

State Dyslexia Laws
This webpage (from the site listed above) provides a list of laws related to dyslexia that are currently on the books (and the year of enactment).
http://www.dyslegia.com/state-dyslexia-laws/

Find Your Representative (in the U.S. House of Representatives)
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Contact Elected Officials
You can call, e-mail or mail U.S. state and federal elected officials and government agencies via the information provided by this direct link.
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

The Constituent
Find your district and join your constituent network. Subscribe to topics and track related legislation. Monitor your representatives and tell them how to vote.
https://the-constituent.com/?gclid=CP6Zu96HubwCFeZj7AodnUwArg

For information on customizable reading tools for ADHD & other reading challenges:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
1. Viktor Krum at http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/237/3/5/us_state_capitol_buildings_by_viktorkrum77-d47ty0d.png
2. Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com