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2026 October 1 – November 1

Dyslexia Awareness Month

A month of film screenings, expert learning, and celebration, in three cities and online, for everyone who learns differently and the people cheering them on.

See the lineup View the calendar
A child wearing headphones writes in a notebook beside a laptop, framed by green sound-wave arcs.
All month longOctober 1–31Brought to you by Learning Ally
A black-and-white archive photo of a man listening at a reel-to-reel recorder, under the heading Recording for the Blind, Inc., New York.
From the Recording for the Blind archives, New York. We’ve been recording books for readers who learn differently since 1948.

Every child is a reader.

Dyslexia is the most common learning difference, affecting as many as 1 in 5 people. For generations it went unnamed in classrooms, and bright kids were labeled lazy or slow. Dyslexia Awareness Month grew out of the persistence of parents, educators, researchers, and dyslexic people themselves who refused to accept that.

Every October, schools, families, and advocates around the world use the month to talk about early screening, evidence-based reading instruction, and the strengths that come with thinking differently. In the United States, Senate resolutions have recognized October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month since 2015.

For Learning Ally, the month is personal. We started in 1948 as Recording for the Blind, with volunteers in New York reading textbooks aloud for veterans returning from World War II. Today our human-read audiobooks, teacher training, and family support reach students with dyslexia in every state.

  1. 1948

    Recording for the Blind begins in New York, reading textbooks aloud for World War II veterans.

  2. 1995

    We become Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, naming the students we’d come to serve most.

  3. 2011

    A new name, Learning Ally, for a mission bigger than recordings alone.

  4. 2015

    The U.S. Senate recognizes October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month.

  5. 2026

    We fill the whole month: screenings, a conference on demand, and a marathon finish line.

A month of learning, connection, and support

This October we’re showing up in theaters, classrooms, and living rooms. Documentaries that started movements, the experts behind the Science of Reading, and a team of runners carrying the cause 26.2 miles through New York City.

October 2026

1Spotlight on Dyslexia: Silver access 3LEFT BEHIND: screening + panel webinar 6Beyond Screen Time: panel webinar 13Dyslexia Simulation for schools 15Let Us Read 20Dyslexia Simulation for households 29LEFT BEHIND + panel Nov 1TCS New York City Marathon
Encore: Cheer on Team Learning Ally at the TCS New York City Marathon.
All month, October 1–31Spotlight on Dyslexia: Silver accessLEFT BEHIND at home

The lineup

Many ways to be part of the month. Pick one, or come to all of them. Seats are limited at the in-person events, so RSVP early.

  1. OnlineFor educators & advocates

    Spotlight on Dyslexia: Silver Ticket access

    Learning Ally’s virtual conference

    Enjoy complimentary Silver Ticket access throughout October in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month. Watch the Spotlight on Dyslexia keynotes and complimentary sessions on demand, at your own pace. This offer covers Silver Ticket sessions only, rather than the full conference.

    When
    Stream any time, all month long
    Where
    Online, from anywhere
    Get complimentary Silver access (opens in a new tab) Free access October 1–31 Thanks for tuning in.
    Spotlight on Dyslexia, now on demand.
  2. OnlineVirtual screening

    LEFT BEHIND: watch from home

    Watch LEFT BEHIND at home throughout October in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month.

    When
    October 1–31, 2026
    Where
    Online, from home
    RSVP coming soonThank you for joining us.
    Poster for the documentary LEFT BEHIND: a boy sits alone at a desk with an open book.
  3. PhiladelphiaScreening + panel webinar

    Stories Served™: Lights, Camera, Literacy™, LEFT BEHIND screening & panel webinar

    Hosted by A.D.E. (Audacity to Dare to Educate), presented by Learning Ally

    Join us for a dialogue and panel discussion about advocating for students with dyslexia, and enjoy an included screening of LEFT BEHIND. The film follows the New York City mothers who built a movement for students with dyslexia. Afterward, three generations share the stage: literacy advocate Kareem Weaver, author and FathersRead365 co-founder Brent Johnstone, and Aden, a young person featured in the film. Connect with fellow advocates and take part in a conversation about making change. Free transportation hubs are available across the city for registered guests.

    When
    Saturday, October 3, 12–4 PM ET
    Where
    Moore College of Art & Design, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
    RSVP on Eventbrite (opens in a new tab) This one’s a wrap. Thank you, Philadelphia.
    Poster for the documentary LEFT BEHIND: a boy sits alone at a desk with an open book.
  4. OnlinePanel webinar

    Beyond Screen Time: Navigating the K-12 Device Dilemma — panel webinar

    Join a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Terrie Noland about classroom technology, student well-being, and protecting access to tools that support learning.

    When
    Tuesday, October 6, 3 PM ET
    Where
    Online, from home
    Register for the webinar (opens in a new tab)Thank you for joining us.
  5. OnlineVirtual event

    Dyslexia Simulation for schools

    Join us online for a Dyslexia Simulation event for schools during Dyslexia Awareness Month.

    When
    Tuesday, October 13, 4–5 PM ET
    Where
    Online, from home
    RSVP coming soonThank you for joining us.
  6. DenverFree screening + panel

    Let Us Read: community film screening & celebration

    Hosted by DenCoKID with Colorado community partners, including Learning Ally

    A free screening of Let Us Read, a new 80-minute documentary that moves from brain science and early identification to effective instruction, family advocacy, and the cost of waiting too long for support. A local panel follows on universal screening, dyslexic thinking, teacher support, and practical next steps for Colorado.

    When
    Thursday, October 15, 6:45–8:45 PM MT
    Where
    Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
    Reserve a free seat (opens in a new tab) Free; $10 suggested donation This one’s a wrap. Thank you, Denver.
    A teacher kneels beside a group of young students reading on tablets.
  7. OnlineVirtual event

    Dyslexia Simulation for households

    Join us online for a Dyslexia Simulation event for households during Dyslexia Awareness Month.

    When
    Tuesday, October 20, 7–8 PM ET
    Where
    Online, from home
    RSVP coming soonThank you for joining us.
  8. New York CityScreening, panel & reception

    LEFT BEHIND: advocacy dialogue, panel & screening

    Hosted by Learning Ally

    Join us for an evening of dialogue and panel discussion about advocating for students with dyslexia, with a screening of LEFT BEHIND included. Come together with fellow advocates to explore what it takes to ensure struggling readers have the support they need. Enjoy a reception, watch the film where its story began, and stay for a conversation about moving advocacy forward. Refreshments provided.

    When
    Thursday, October 29, 6–9 PM ET: reception 6, screening 7, panel 8:15
    Where
    Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch College, 55 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010. Entrance on East 25th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.
    Get tickets (opens in a new tab) $20 adults; kids 12 and under free This one’s a wrap. Thank you, New York.
    Poster for the documentary LEFT BEHIND: a boy sits alone at a desk with an open book.
  9. New York CityRun for Dyslexia

    TCS New York City Marathon: Team Learning Ally

    Cheer on Team Learning Ally as our runners take on 26.2 miles through New York City in support of students with dyslexia. Every mile helps support human-read audiobooks, trained teachers, and families. Join the cheering community in New York or support the team from wherever you are.

    When
    Sunday, November 1, 2026
    Where
    New York City
    Support the teamThank you for supporting Team Learning Ally!
    Run for Dyslexia: Team Learning Ally, TCS New York City Marathon.
Run for Dyslexia: Team Learning Ally, TCS New York City Marathon.

The month ends at the finish line

On November 1, Team Learning Ally runs the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as an official charity partner. Every mile they run raises support for students with dyslexia: audiobooks read by real people, trained teachers, and families who know they aren’t on their own.

Can’t be in New York? You can still be on the team.

Support the team

Keep the conversation going after October

Dyslexia resources

Guides, articles, and tools for families and educators, from the first signs of dyslexia to support at school.

Explore resources

Take a dyslexia screener

Wondering about your child, your student, or yourself? Start with a free online screener.

Start the screener

Webinars all year

Live and on-demand sessions for parents and educators, led by the people doing this work every day.

See upcoming webinars