Wisconsin Dyslexia Roadmap

Literacy is a civil right.

“In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be available to all on equal terms" (1954 - Brown vs Board of Education).

"Illiteracy is an enduring disability. The inability to read and write will handicap the individual deprived of a basic education each and every day of his life” (1981 - Plyler v. Doe).

“The right to a basic minimum education – one that can plausibly impart literacy,” is a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (2020 - Gary B. v. Snyder).

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:

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

Dyslexia Connection: The Dyslexia Connection sections are meant to clarify the relationship between dyslexia and information about reading and literacy.

Podcasts & Videos

Information in the WI Dyslexia Roadmap is supported with additional audio and video resources to extend accessibility. Common text-to-speech features for various web browsers are also suggested at the bottom of each page.

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.

Thank you to The Reading League Wisconsin (TRL-WI), for hosting A Guided Tour Through the WI Dyslexia Roadmap!

Thank you to Decoding Dyslexia Wisconsin (DDWI), for hosting Dyslexia Roadmap a Parent Discussion!

Thank you to the Wisconsin Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (WIBIDA), for hosting Discovering the Dyslexia Roadmap!

Learn more about Wisconsin Branch of the International Dyslexia Association | Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group |