Mark it Read for Dyslexia Awareness Month, 2023

Mark it Read is the official Canadian celebration for Dyslexia Awareness Month. October 1st, 2023 marks the start of our 6th annual national awareness-raising campaign. Each year across Canada, monuments and buildings are lit up red, schools and workplaces wear red, and cities and towns sign proclamations to officially declare the month of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Mark it Read has also been listed on the Government of Canada website as a health promotion month. You can view the calendar of health promotions here.

2023 Theme: Stronger Together

2023 marks the 6th anniversary of Dyslexia Canada’s Mark it Read for Dyslexia Awareness campaign. Join us in celebrating the progress over these past 6 years, help us #SayDyslexia and #StrongerTogether to show everyone that you are proud to be #PoweredByDyslexia.

Why red?

Dyslexia is a hereditary disability that makes it difficult to read, write, and spell. The teacher’s red pen can therefore be a constant reminder of the lack of support needed for kids to be successful. During October, the colour red helps to raise awareness of the prevalence of dyslexia as well as the work that needs to be done to support young Canadians who are often left feeling frustrated and isolated. You can find out more about dyslexia here.

Why should I Mark it Read?

By supporting Mark it Read, you will be supporting the estimated 10-20% of Canadians that live with dyslexia. By joining our campaign, you will help to raise awareness of dyslexia whilst helping to eradicate myths and misconceptions of this learning disability. If you’d like to be involved in more opportunities to join Dyslexia Canada’s mission, join us today.

How Can I Participate?

There are several ways to bring awareness to dyslexia in your local community. You can request a landmark to be lit up red for a day or even the month; attend one of our many events planned across the country including flag raisings, presentations, and webinars; download some of our posters and other free materials from our Digital toolkit to post and share in your school or neighbourhood; purchase a Mark It Read t-shirt or touque and #SayDyslexia. However you choose to participate, make sure you use the hashtag #MarkItRead and #StrongerTogether so we can share and like your posts!

CBC Listen Yukon Morning: October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, we hear from a coach helping local students work with their dyslexia. Aired October 17th, 2023

Global News Calgary: Mark it Read is an important campaign bringing awareness to the struggle children have with dyslexia. Mount Royal University professor Jodi Nickle joins Global News Calgary to discuss the impacts of having dyslexia. Aired OCTOBER 21, 2023

Global News Regina: Kirsten Downey, Dyslexia Canada Board Member from Moose Jaw, speaks about supporting students with dyslexia, how to identify if your child may be at risk for a reading disorder and initial steps to take. October 30, 2023.

Dyslexia Awareness Flags

Thanks to a generous donation, we are pleased to have these Dyslexia Awareness flags available for your event. Please email us at info@dyslexiacanada.org with your mailing address and details of your event and we will ship a flag and some Mark It Read stickers and bookmarks to you in time for your event. Our hope is that each of these flag will be flown in a public space that offers the greatest exposure. Don’t forget to take photos and short videos (10 sec) of your flag raising and send it to us. Use #MarkItRead & #StrongerTogether so that we can find your posts!

Fundraisers

Join Canadians across the country this October in raising funds during Dyslexia Awareness Month. Join as an individual, join a team or even create your own team! However you choose to join us, we look forward to seeing your fundraising mission!

Please share our donation page with anyone who wishes to support Dyslexia Canada.

Mark it Read Your Way!

Explore some of our ideas below to find ways you can Mark it Read this October.

For teachers, classrooms, and schools

Get your class and school involved in our national campaign and help us Mark it Read using these ideas below:

• Have your class wear red or only use red crayons, pens, and pencils for one day.

• Create a table in your library or classroom that features books authored by or about people with dyslexia. Download this handy booklist.

• Listen to Dyslexia Canada’s podcast Sharing Stories where kids interview kids about their favourite books. Have those books available in your library!

• Discuss Dyslexia Awareness Month at your next assembly or incorporate a discussion and lesson on learning differences into your classroom by visiting itshardtoread.org.

• Show the award-winning short animation See Dyslexia Differently.

• Follow up with an activity that allows students to dig deeper. This free downloadable teacher resource pack is a useful place to start.

• Have a “red” themed art project - paint pumpkins red, create red mosaics, make red friendship bracelets, create posters drawn in red that highlight what makes each student unique and special.

• Keep up to date with markitread.org to see when monuments in your area will be lit up in red. Promote the lighting to your community!

• Launch a fundraiser! Ideas include bake sales, Loonie drives, mini pumpkins sales, and more.

Tell us how you are #PoweredByDyslexia

We invite Canadians with dyslexia to share a few words about both their strengths and challenges. We hope that these stories will help to inspire others, reduce stigma and motivate governments to identify and appropriately support children with dyslexia across the nation.

Mark it Read Sponsors and Supporters

Sponsors

Supporters