Shining the spotlight on dyslexia during October

One in 10 Australians have some form of dyslexia and we’re being asked to turn the country red to help raise awareness during October.

Light it Red for Dyslexia Awareness is a volunteer initiative by Code REaD Dyslexia Network for Dyslexia Month this month.

Code REaD Dyslexia Network is a national registered charity that aims to light significant monuments, buildings and landmarks across Australia in RED for Dyslexia Awareness Month.

The Dyslexia Association Australia says about one in 10 Australians have dyslexia, and there are three types of reading and/or writing conditions:

• Dyslexia: Students who struggle with reading and spelling and who often puzzle teachers and parents could have dyslexia. These students receive the same classroom instruction as other students but continue to struggle with some or all of the facets of reading and spelling. This student may have dyslexia.
• Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia is a condition that causes trouble with written expression. The term comes from the Greek words dys (“difficulty”) and graphia (“making letter forms by hand”). Dysgraphia is a brain-based issue. It’s not the result of an individual being lazy.
• Dyscalculia: There are many interpretations of dyscalculia, however respected authorities in this field agree that the nature of dyscalculia rests with the inability to see, handle and understand numbers. Dyscalculia makes mathematics learning persistently difficult and frustrating for the individual that has it.

Find out more here.

According to the Code Read Dyslexia Network website, the campaign started in 2015 so all people with dyslexia can be understood, acknowledged, empowered and to have equal access to opportunities.

“Ask any dyslexic about their school experience and they will tell you about the gut wrenching fear of receiving back their school work covered in red crosses and comments,” the network’s website says.

“When Light it Red started in 2015, it was about taking back the power of that colour to raise awareness.

“The colour influenced our name Code Read (pronounced RED) Dyslexia Network. Red is disruptive and cannot be ignored but it also highlights the urgency of the situation."

“In effect we wanted to say that it is time to stop sweeping this important issue under the carpet and take action.”

Code REaD Dyslexia Network is asking for the community’s help to light up Australia RED this month and here’s how you can get involved:

• Arrange to light up your building, monument or landmark Red during October. Once you know it is going RED, register.
• If you know someone who can help light a building red, download our template letter you can approach them with.
• Use our downloadables on your digital channels – or you can print them and display them at your work and in your community.
• Take photos of places in your area that have lit up RED for Light it RED and share on social media with the hashtag #LIR2021
• Use your imagination to think of ways you can shine a light on dyslexia during October.

Register your Light Up here.

To find out what’s happening in your state, visit: https://codereadnetwork.org/get-involved/lir2021