Raising awareness for dyslexia

Dyslexia advocates Jennifer and Jill Hyland (pictured, from left) worked with fellow supporters to lobby state legislators in Austin to pass House Bill 3928, a law enacted in 2023 that improved the way dyslexia services are provided in Texas schools. Now, the mother-daughter duo is looking forward to celebrating Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s Oct. 8 proclamation declaring October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. City Hall will be lit red to commemorate the occasion. Jennifer began advocating for improved dyslexia diagnosis and treatment eight years ago after learning her daughter Jill was among the 20 percent of the population affected by the learning difference. Jill struggled with reading from an early age and was fortunate to be diagnosed as a young child and received appropriate intervention, which made a huge difference in her reading skills. She is now a thriving sophomore at Stratford High School. However, Jennifer saw that many children do not receive the intervention they need, and this prompted her to become what her friends call an “accidental advocate.” She now runs the Texas Dyslexia Coalition and, with Jill and a team of other advocates, works to help ensure each child has access to the services they need to become successful readers and students. 

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