About this kit

Many Canadian schools, libraries and governments mark October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Manitoba's education minister, for example, proclaimed October 2025 as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Use this kit to host a 60-minute session in your library, school or community space.

Audience: 10 to 30 adults or teens. No expertise needed to facilitate.

Materials checklist

• Projector or flip chart
• Printed fact sheet (key facts below)
• Sticky notes and markers
• A short passage in an unfamiliar script or code (make your own)
• Timer
• Sign-in sheet
• Local referral list (school board, psychology services, campus accessibility offices)

Key facts to share

• Statistics Canada reports 5.6% of Canadians aged 15 and over had a learning disability in 2022.
• That is more than 1.6 million people.
• Among those aged 25 to 64 with a learning disability, 52% needed at least one workplace accommodation.
• Only a licensed professional, usually a psychologist, can diagnose dyslexia. Rules vary by province. In Quebec, a speech-language pathologist can also assess it.

Session plan

Step-by-step

1. Welcome (5 min). Introduce yourself. Say: "Today we will learn what dyslexia is, what it is not, and how to help."
2. Reading challenge (10 min). Hand out your coded passage. Explain that dyslexia is not seeing letters backwards. It is difficulty linking sounds and letters. Give 60 seconds to read it aloud in pairs. Ask: "How did that feel? What did you do to cope?"
3. Facts and myths (10 min). Read each statement. Ask the group to raise a hand or a card for true, and keep it down for false.
   • "Dyslexia is linked to low intelligence." False.
   • "People with dyslexia can succeed with the right supports." True.
   • "Only a qualified professional can diagnose dyslexia." True.
   • "Dyslexia only affects children." False.
4. Strengths gallery (15 min). Each person writes one strength on a sticky note. Post them on the wall. Group them into themes. Discuss what employers and schools gain from these strengths.
5. Support stations (12 min). Set up three tables. Rotate every four minutes.
   • Station A: text-to-speech demo on a phone or laptop.
   • Station B: speak-up scripts for asking for help.
   • Station C: local referral list and how to request an assessment.
6. Pledge and close (8 min). Each person writes one action on a card. Examples: "I will offer audio versions." "I will ask my child's school about the IEP." Share three aloud. Thank everyone.

Facilitator tips

• Never ask anyone to disclose a diagnosis.
• Allow people to pass on reading aloud.
• Offer large-print and audio handouts.
• Keep the tone positive and practical.

After the session

• Attendance: ________
• Top three pledges: ________
• Follow-up date: ________
• Feedback score (1 to 5): ________