October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to build understanding, elevate the voices of people with dyslexia, and take meaningful steps toward greater literacy access.
For the 1 in 5 students who learn differently, awareness can be the beginning of something much bigger: recognizing the signs of dyslexia, understanding how reading differences affect students, strengthening literacy instruction, and making sure students have the support they need to succeed.
This October, Learning Ally is bringing together opportunities to learn, experience dyslexia, connect with others, and take action. Explore all of the Dyslexia Awareness Month activities and events to find ways to get involved.
From interactive Dyslexia Simulations and documentary screenings to expert-led learning and the energy of Team Learning Ally at the TCS New York City Marathon, there are many ways to get involved.
What Is Dyslexia Awareness Month?
Dyslexia Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase understanding of dyslexia and the experiences of people with reading differences and to turn that awareness into action.
For educators and school leaders, that can mean learning more about the characteristics of dyslexia, evidence-based literacy instruction, and classroom accommodations.
For families, it can mean gaining a better understanding of a child’s reading journey and learning how to partner with schools.
And for everyone, it can mean listening to the experiences of people with dyslexia and considering what we can do to make literacy more accessible.
Awareness matters. But understanding creates opportunities for action.
Build Your Understanding of Dyslexia
One of the most meaningful ways to participate in Dyslexia Awareness Month is to learn more about dyslexia and how it can affect a student’s experience at school.
Learning Ally’s Dyslexia Simulations provide an experience-based way to build that understanding. Facilitator-led simulations are designed to help participants experience some of the cognitive, visual, and emotional friction students with reading differences may encounter during everyday learning.
Different sessions throughout October are designed for educators, administrators, families, and community members.
Upcoming Dyslexia Simulation Experiences
Kickoff to Awareness: The Dyslexia Simulation Experience
October 1, 2026 | 4–5 p.m. CT/ 5–6 p.m. ET
Join for an interactive experience designed for educators in Texas.
Decoding the Experience: A Dyslexia Simulation for K–12 Professionals
October 13, 2026 | 4–5 p.m. ET
An interactive simulation for educators and school district leaders.
Parenting Through Dyslexia: An Interactive Simulation and Coaching
October 20, 2026 | 7–8 p.m. ET
A live simulation at the International Dyslexia Association Conference with Terrie Noland designed for parents, donors, and advocates.
→ Experience a Dyslexia Simulation
See Dyslexia Through a Different Lens
Sometimes a story can help us understand an issue in a way facts alone cannot.
This October, Learning Ally is bringing the acclaimed documentary Left Behind to audiences through free on-demand access and live community screenings.
Directed by Anna Toomey, Left Behind follows five mothers fighting for public school literacy resources in New York City. Learning Ally is partnering with regional organizations to bring the film to communities, with live panel discussions featuring filmmakers, educators, and literacy advocates.
The film creates an opportunity to consider larger questions about literacy access, educational equity, family advocacy, and the experiences of students who struggle to read.
→ Watch Left Behind
Learn From Dyslexia and Literacy Experts
Knowledge is another powerful form of advocacy, so Learning Ally is providing on-demand access to six standout sessions with a free Silver Ticket to the 2026 Spotlight on Dyslexia (SPOD) virtual conference. Topics include groundbreaking research on oral language and insights from leading voices in literacy.
Whether you’re an educator looking for practical strategies, a school leader building literacy knowledge across a district, or a parent looking for ways to better support your child, these sessions offer an opportunity to keep learning beyond Dyslexia Awareness Month.
→ Register for a SPOD26 Silver Ticket
Strengthen Literacy Support
Awareness becomes meaningful when it leads to action. Whether you’re an educator, family member, or school leader, learning more about dyslexia can help you better support students and strengthen literacy practices.
Learning Ally offers resources to help you take the next step.
For educators: Explore professional learning focused on dyslexia awareness, structured literacy, and supporting striving readers.
For families: Use practical resources for understanding dyslexia and supporting children at home.
For schools and districts: Learn how Learning Ally can help build educator knowledge and a schoolwide culture of literacy.
Support Team Learning Ally at the NYC Marathon
The month will culminate with another kind of community effort: Team Learning Ally at the TCS New York City Marathon.
Learning Ally’s marathon campaign draws a connection between the physical endurance required to complete a marathon and the academic resilience students with dyslexia may demonstrate as they work to navigate a reading system that doesn’t always meet their needs.
On October 31, Team Learning Ally runners, families, volunteers, partners, and supporters will gather for a pre-race community pasta dinner in Battery Park City. On November 1, supporters will cheer on the runners and help raise awareness for literacy access.
The campaign also helps raise funds to expand access to Learning Ally’s library of 75,000+ human-read audiobooks and school resources.
Make the Most of Dyslexia Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month creates a moment to pay attention, but the work continues long after October.
A student who struggles to read needs more than awareness. They need adults who understand dyslexia, evidence-based instruction, appropriate accommodations, access to grade-level content, and a community willing to listen and act.
Learning Ally is offering many ways to get involved and your participation can help build greater understanding of what students with dyslexia experience and what they need to thrive.
Learn more. Take action. And be an ally for every reader.
