Welcome to the Wisconsin (WI) Dyslexia Roadmap

The WI Dyslexia Roadmap is an informational resource designed to empower Wisconsin to:

• Embrace diversity, including neurodiversity

• Create inclusive learning and work environments

• Achieve equity through literacy 

Information and resources within the WI Dyslexia Roadmap are designed and selected to increase awareness and understanding of:

• How ALL individuals learn to read

• How dyslexia and reading difficulties impact individuals

• How leaders, parents, and teachers can contribute to reading and writing success for ALL, including learners with dyslexia

The concept of the WI Dyslexia Roadmap was inspired by the Ohio Dyslexia Roadmap. Content was also inspired by many state dyslexia publications, including:

• California Dyslexia Guidelines (2017)

• Colorado Department of Education Dyslexia Handbook (2020)

• Massachusetts Dyslexia Guidelines (2020)

• Tennessee Department of Education - Dyslexia Resource Guide (2018)

• The New Jersey Dyslexia Handbook : A Guide to Early Literacy Development & Reading Struggles (2017)

• Wisconsin's Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions (2021)

Resources shared within the Roadmap are examples and should not be considered an exhaustive list, official evaluation, or endorsement by the authors.

Creation of the WI Dyslexia Roadmap was initiated by Dorothy Morrison and nine literacy advocates from around the state of Wisconsin. The WI Dyslexia Roadmap is authored, edited, and copyrighted by three of the original volunteers: Nancy Dressel, Nikki McLaughlin, and Dorothy Morrison.

We offer this resource to promote equitable access to learning for all Wisconsin learners, including dyslexic learners, who exist in every demographic and are currently not consistently identified and supported within Wisconsin schools.

As you explore the WI Dyslexia Roadmap, we invite you to:

• Find inspiration and lean into the future

• Share the WI Dyslexia Roadmap with leaders, educators, and parents, using #WIDyslexiaRoadmap #EmbraceDiversity #BeInclusive #AchieveEquity #EquityThroughLiteracy

• Start and engage in ongoing conversations about diversity, inclusion, equity, literacy, and dyslexia

• Experiment with the application of the Science of Reading

• Use the WI Dyslexia Roadmap Equity Through Literacy Reflection Tool to identify policies and practices that are inhibiting or accelerating success and inform strategic planning

• Advocate for high impact, evidence-aligned literacy assessment, instruction, and intervention 

We believe Wisconsin leaders, parents, and teachers can partner to ensure educational equity and achievement for Wisconsin learners.

Sincerely,

Nancy, Nikki, & Dot

References & Image Citations

References for the content of each page on the WI Dyslexia Roadmap are cited within the text and in the References section at the bottom of each page using APA format. 

Image labels are adapted for our audience and a website format, but cited in APA format in the Image Citations section at the bottom of each page.

How the WI Dyslexia Roadmap Came To Be

Dorothy Morrison

This Roadmap was inspired by a similar Roadmap from Ohio colleagues. I showed the Ohio Dyslexia Roadmap to several friends in Wisconsin. They encouraged the creation of a Roadmap for Wisconsin. Nine people responded to an open email call for volunteers, including Nancy Dressel, Shantese Inman, Katie Kasubaski, and Nikki McLaughlin. Some declined to be listed here, but we express heartfelt thanks to them. 

Important ideas and perspectives of all the original volunteers were essential to and are integrated throughout the Roadmap.

The authors of the website proved to be amazingly adept researchers, thinkers, organizers, writers, editors, and graphic designers. The work ebbed and flowed over a year, with different authors picking up various pieces. When one had to take time away, the others kept going. With persistence and devotion to the children, parents, teachers, and leaders who need this information, we forged ahead behind different leaders at different times.

This final product is truly an amalgamation of hearts and minds who wanted to make this Roadmap available to Wisconsin. All of us have worked on the front lines to help children with dyslexia and related disorders achieve their potential. All of us appreciate the love of learning instilled in us by knowledgeable and artful teachers.

Collectively, we represent the experiences of many essential stakeholders - dyslexic learners, typical learners, public/private/homeschool parents, K-12 teachers, educational psychologists, school administrators, school board members, university professors, public and private sector employees, literacy advocacy organizations, and Wisconsin citizens.

We salute all devoted teachers, parents, and leaders who give their best effort, time, and energy to children. We offer this gift to support those efforts and invite comments and suggestions to make this Roadmap even more useful.

My deepest gratitude goes to my colleagues Nancy and Nikki for a joyful, rewarding, continued adventure.

This is a dynamic, organic product! We will continue to update the website and add new topics. We invite your comments and suggestions via email to make this Roadmap even more useful.

Thank you for visiting the WI Dyslexia Roadmap.

Dorothy Morrison - Author & Founder

Nancy Dressel - Author, Website & Graphic Design

Nikki McLaughlin - Author & Technical Editor

A special thank you to The Reading League, Wisconsin for contributing ideas, technical resources, and ongoing encouragement and support.