EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the month of October in each year as Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Bill 149 2019

An Act to proclaim Dyslexia Awareness Month

Preamble

Dyslexia is a specific type of learning difference that makes it difficult to read, write and spell. Dyslexia is a neurologically-based condition that is often inherited. It is not related to intelligence nor does it reflect a lack of a desire to learn.

Dyslexia is the most common learning difference, affecting at least 6 to 17 per cent of the population of Ontario regardless of sex, age, race or socio-economic status. In Ontario, it is estimated that there are at least two children with dyslexia in every classroom.

Children don’t outgrow dyslexia. Support at home and at school are essential to helping children build on their strengths and be successful in life.

Children with dyslexia can learn to read through early intervention and evidence-based reading instruction. While early intervention is more effective, evidence-based reading instruction can be successful at any age.

However, students with dyslexia currently face many barriers within the education system, including a lack of awareness, a lack of timely identification of dyslexia, a lack of scientific and evidence-based reading instruction and a lack of teacher training in evidence-based reading instruction methodology. Because of these barriers, children with dyslexia show sizeable education achievement gaps and outcomes in comparison with neurotypical students.

Literacy is a critical skill. Children who don’t learn to read proficiently are more likely to struggle in other areas of their education, feel less capable than they actually are and suffer from low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Without support, people with learning differences such as dyslexia are more likely to drop out of school, be underemployed or unemployed and face mental health challenges.

October is recognized around the world as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Proclaiming October as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Ontario provides an important opportunity for public education on dyslexia in order to increase awareness of how common dyslexia really is, how children and adults with this learning difference can be supported and how we can eliminate barriers preventing people with dyslexia from realizing their full potential.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Dyslexia Awareness Month

1 The month of October in each year is proclaimed as Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Dyslexia Awareness Month Act, 2019.