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2023 SESSION

23100812D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 488
Offered January 11, 2023
Prefiled January 9, 2023
Designating October, in 2023 and in each succeeding year, as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Virginia.
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Patrons-- Simon, Bulova, Clark, Coyner, Delaney, Glass, Guzman, Helmer, Hope, Jenkins, Kory, Maldonado, Mullin, Price, Rasoul, Shin, Simonds, Subramanyam, Ware, Watts and Wiley; Senator: Surovell
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, a specific learning disability related to a deficit in the phonological component of language, dyslexia is neurobiological in origin and causes problems with decoding and identifying speech sounds and understanding how they relate to words and letters; and

WHEREAS, approximately one in five students in the United States are affected by a language-based learning disability, and dyslexia is the most common of the language-based learning disabilities in the country; and

WHEREAS, the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade, and it is critical to provide effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for individuals with dyslexia; and

WHEREAS, early screening for and early diagnosis of dyslexia can ensure that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary accommodations to build success in school and in life; and

WHEREAS, many successful individuals, including people in business, government, sports, and entertainment, have overcome learning difficulties related to dyslexia; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has many regulations and programs in place to improve the lives of individuals with dyslexia through intervention, screening, and service requirements; and

WHEREAS, Dyslexia Awareness Month provides an opportunity to acknowledge educators specializing in effective teaching strategies and to celebrate the many achievements of adolescents, students, and adults with dyslexia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate October, in 2023 and in each succeeding year, as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this month on the General Assembly's website.