Disability Rights Organization’s Statement Opposing the 21st Century Dyslexia Act

WASHINGTON, DC — July 29, 2026 — The undersigned organizations urge the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) to oppose the 21st Century Dyslexia Act.

We share the goal of ensuring that every student with dyslexia receives timely identification, effective instruction, and appropriate supports. However, the 21st Century Dyslexia Act defines dyslexia in a manner that is inconsistent with current scientific understanding and evidence-based practice. Rather than strengthening services for students, the bill will undermine supports for students. It will create confusion for States and school districts by disrupting existing approaches that align with current research and are already successfully helping to identify and support students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. There are already 20 States whose policies discourage or reject approaches that this bill would encourage for Specific Learning Disability (SLD) eligibility determination.

Instead of advancing legislation built on an outdated definition, the Committee should prioritize policies that improve outcomes for all struggling readers. Universal screening for reading difficulties, paired with evidence-based instruction and early intervention, offers a more effective path to ensuring students receive the support they need as early as possible.

We urge the Committee to reject the 21st Century Dyslexia Act and instead work with the disability community, educators, researchers, and families to advance evidence-based policies that improve literacy outcomes for all students.

Organizations:

Autism Society of America

Council for Exceptional Children

Council for Learning Disabilities

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates

Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children

International Dyslexia Association

Learning Disabilities Association of America

Learning Disabilities Association of Florida

Learning Disabilities of Louisiana

Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey

Learning Disabilities Association of Ohio

Learning Disabilities Association of South Carolina

Learning Disabilities Association of Virginia

National Association of School Psychologists

National Center for Learning Disabilities 

National Disability Rights Network

PACER Center

The Advocacy Institute

The Arc of the United States

The Center for Learner Equity

The Reading League