Dyslexia Goes to Capitol Hill
Two congressmen, both with children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, are using their bully pulpit to shine a light on the most common language learning disability. Representative Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Pete Stark (D-CA) have crossed the aisle to propose a bipartisan congressional caucus to raise awareness of dyslexia and educate others about the challenges, opportunities, and issues that must be addressed to ensure success for students with dyslexia.
In a joint letter, the two representatives invited their congressional colleagues to join their efforts to increase awareness and make policy changes to “create opportunity for all dyslexics and remove barriers to success.” The letter further stated what many parents of children with LD already know:
All too often dyslexics are either misdiagnosed or misunderstood, and as a result their true skills and abilities go ignored…As an example, in December 2011, the GAO released a report (GAO-12-40) showing that many students with learning and other disabilities, including dyslexia, are not receiving accommodations, such as extended testing time, required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when they take high stakes examinations such as the SAT, GRE, LSAT, or U.S. Medical Licensing Examination and others. Further, GAO found that the Department of Justice is not adequately enforcing the ADA and protecting the rights of students. The result is that highly qualified individuals are being locked out of professions and are not able to achieve their career goals.
We all have an interest in ensuring that each member of our society is fully contributing to our nation and our economy. We cannot afford to ignore those who are challenged with dyslexia. Dyslexia robs individuals of their ability to read quickly and automatically but it does not dampen their creativity and ingenuity – skills important for America to prosper.
Smart Kids with LD welcomes this federal bipartisan effort to elevate the national understanding of dyslexia and to spearhead policy changes that will help children with dyslexia achieve their potential.
June 9th, 2012 at 5:47 am
I applaud Congressmen Stark and Cassidy’s efforts to elevate the national understanding and spearhead policy changes that will help dyslexic children achieve their potential.
To support their efforts, a group of parents from the grassroots movement Decoding Dyslexia NJ, are traveling to Capitol Hill later this month. We will be meeting with NJ Congressmen to encourage thier participation on this bipartisan committee, and request that they support policy changes that will benefit students who struggle to read and write.
We would be happy to provide support and encouragement to other parent groups who might be interested in undertaking similar efforts. We would also welcome insights from parents who have successfully advocated for policy changes in their states.
Thank you!
June 12th, 2012 at 7:19 am
How do you get something like that going? I would love to start something here in MA. I have a 10 yr old currently reading at 2nd grade level at the local public school in an IEP that isn’t helping, receiving out of school tutoring which costs a fortune that we can’t afford …realizing nothing will change here in Massachusets unless it occurs legislatively..FAPE? Ha?! Open to any ideas or suggestions that you could offer. Thank you in advance.
August 10th, 2012 at 2:02 am
I would like further information to share down here in sunny Florida. Why does a wall against high achievement and SLD permeate our education system? Yale has spearheaded tremendous scientific research on Dyslexia as a processing vs cognitive disorder. I have experienced first hand that “that many students with learning and other disabilities, including dyslexia, are not receiving accommodations”… because the litmus test for ‘SLD disability-eligibility’ is academic failure. What is really needed is a nation-wide ‘Information’ campaign that addresses many misconceptions about LD and outcome expectation. Success stories read where children 4-years behind in academics finally receive appropriate intervention/instruction – and make huge academic gains. The question is why are they being left to fall so far behind?
September 10th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Yes, we do need to keep getting information out to people! You can help by letting people know about the Smart Kids with LD free e-newsletter and blog — and staying tuned for information via our newsletter, website, blog posts and on facebook!