Mark it Read for Dyslexia Awareness Month, 2024
Mark it Read is the official Canadian celebration for Dyslexia Awareness Month. October 1st, 2024 marks the start of our 7th annual national awareness-raising campaign. Each year across Canada, monuments and buildings are lit up red, schools and workplaces wear red, and cities and towns sign proclamations to officially declare the month of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Mark it Read has also been listed on the Government of Canada website as a health promotion month. You can view the calendar of health promotions here.
The theme for Mark it Read 2024 is Breaking the Silence
Dyslexia Canada invited prominent Canadians with dyslexia to share their stories in a new podcast series, Mark it Read - Breaking the Silence. Their voices break the silence on dyslexia while highlighting the need for early screening.
TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Weekend
Dyslexia Canada had an amazing time participating in the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon events, which included in-person and virtual 5K race, half marathon, and full marathon. We are so grateful to everyone who showed up to run, volunteer, and donate—your support made this weekend a huge success!
Highlights from the weekend:
32 people ran or walked as a part of Team Dyslexia Canada
Our dedicated team of Dyslexia Canada and Kyndryl volunteers arrived bright and early to run the water station at the finish line.
With the help of our incredible community and sponsor Kyndryl, as of race day, we raised $7,625.99!
5 Ways to Get Involved
Dyslexia Awareness Flags
Thanks to a generous donation, we are pleased to have these Dyslexia Awareness flags available for your event. If you know of a public space in your community that offers great exposure why not ask if they will fly the flag for a day or even the entire month? Popular locations are city hall, schools and libraries. Don’t forget to take photos and short videos (10 sec) of your flag raising and send it to us. Use #MarkItRead & #BreakingTheSilence in your posts!
Request a Proclamation
You can help us break the silence by asking your city or province to declare October Dyslexia Awareness month. Use our template to make your request. When it’s approved, don’t forget to share any photos of the presentation with us. Don’t forget to wear red for your photos and tag us on social posts!
Share Your Dyslexia Journey
We invite Canadians with dyslexia to share their journey with dyslexia. We hope these stories will help to inspire others, reduce stigma and motivate governments to identify and appropriately support children with dyslexia across the nation. We will share your journey on our social media channels throughout the month. Choose which journey you would like to share by clicking the button(s) below.
Host a Mark it Read Event
If you are hosting an event or gathering in your community in celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are here to support you. We can offer assistance in planning your event and provide printed resources to add to the event bag or Dyslexia Canada table.
For information about hosting a fundraising event in support of Dyslexia Canada this October email Fundraising@dyslexiacanada.org.
Show Your Support by Wearing Red
Whether you are attending a Mark it Read event or just want to start a conversation, wear red this October. Make your own Mark it Read shirt or order one from our store. Gather your friends and family and take a selfie and don’t forget to share it with us using #markitread #breakingthesilence #dyslexiacanada
How are you are #BreakingTheSilence this October?
Email us at info@dyslexiacanada.org to let us know
Mark it Read FAQ
Why red?
Dyslexia is a hereditary disability that makes it difficult to read, write, and spell. The teacher’s red pen can therefore be a constant reminder of the lack of support needed for kids to be successful. During October, the colour red helps to raise awareness of the prevalence of dyslexia as well as the work that needs to be done to support young Canadians who are often left feeling frustrated and isolated. You can find out more about dyslexia here.
Why should I Mark it Read?
By supporting Mark it Read, you will be supporting the estimated 10-20% of Canadians that live with dyslexia. By joining our campaign, you will help to raise awareness of dyslexia whilst helping to eradicate myths and misconceptions of this learning disability. If you’d like to be involved in more opportunities to join Dyslexia Canada’s mission, join us today.
How Can I Participate?
There are several ways to bring awareness to dyslexia in your local community. You can request a landmark to be lit up red for a day or even the month; attend one of our many events planned across the country including flag raisings, presentations, and webinars or purchase some Mark it Read SWAG. However you choose to participate, make sure you use the hashtag #MarkItRead, #SayDyslexia and #BreakingTheSilence so we can share and like your posts! Email info@dyslexiacanada.org form more information on how to get involved.
