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Bill 149, Dyslexia Awareness Month Act, 2019

Harden, Joel

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Bill 149 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

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

Bill 149 2019

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

The

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

Commencement

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

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the Dyslexia Awareness

Month Act, 2019 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

November 26, 2019

First Reading

Vote

Carried

Debates and Progress

First Reading

November 26, 2019

Committee

Second Reading

Committee

Third Reading

Royal Assent

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