WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced a resolution recognizing October 2021 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Angus King (I-ME), and John Boozman (R-AR) cosponsored the resolution.
“With dyslexia impacting one in five Americans, we need to do everything we can so they aren’t left behind,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This resolution raises awareness to encourage interventions such as evidenced-based screening and proper education to allow these smart readers to reach their full potential.”
“Dyslexia is a common learning disability that can pose significant challenges to students and adults,” said Senator Capito. “I’m proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle with this resolution to continue raising awareness about the need for early screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based invention.”
“Learning disabilities present barriers to students as they strive to reach their full potential, but with deeper understanding and greater support they can be mitigated or overcome. Teachers and parents know how important it is to identify dyslexia and provide the resources our kids need to get the best education possible. This resolution helps raise awareness around dyslexia so our families and schools can better address its impact on young people,” said Senator Boozman.
Read the full text of the resolution here or below:
Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2021 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’.
Whereas dyslexia is—
(1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and
(2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, spell, and, often, the ability to learn a second language
Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–391; 132 Stat. 5194 et seq.) included a definition of dyslexia as part of the requirement of the Act to screen inmates for dyslexia upon intake in Federal prisons;
Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of the First Step Act of 2018, is the first and only definition of dyslexia in a Federal statute;
Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning disability;
Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out of every 5 individuals;
Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dyslexia may have both—
(1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition; and
(2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;
Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia;
Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade; and
Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self- empowerment, and the provision of necessary accommodations that ensure success in school and in life: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and
local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed; and
(2) designates October 2021 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’.
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