(TRENTON) – An Assembly Joint Resolution sponsored in part by Assembly Democrats Jamel Holley, Angela McKnight and Valerie Vainieri Huttle designating October of each year as “Dyslexia Awareness Month” in New Jersey (AJR-77) was signed into law on Friday.
Dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person’s ability to read, write spell and sometimes speech.
“Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children and persists throughout life,” said Holley (D-Union). “One out of every 10 people in the United States suffers from dyslexia. The legislation would align New Jersey with national efforts to raise awareness and educate the public on dyslexia and its symptoms.”
“Proper diagnosis of dyslexia, early and appropriate intervention and support from family, teachers, and friends greatly increase a child’s academic success and self-esteem,” said McKnight (D-Hudson). “With the designation of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, we can educate, promote research, and early identification of dyslexia.”
“Children with untreated dyslexia can suffer devastating personal consequences such as dropping or failing out of school,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “Dyslexia is a learning disability that, with proper support, can be corrected. Raising awareness of this disability is the key to helping more children and adults find the help they need.”
The Assembly approved the resolution last October (2016), 72-0. The Senate passed the bill 32-0 on October 6.