What is Dyslexia Awareness Month?

TL;DR: Every October, we come together for Dyslexia Awareness Month. Different countries might mark the dates a little differently, but the goal is the same: to help everyone better understand dyslexia, bust some old myths, and make sure support is available in schools and workplaces. Loads of organisations get involved, each bringing their own theme to the table.

For example, the British Dyslexia Association is shining a spotlight on the workplace in 2026, while Made by Dyslexia continues to champion 'Dyslexic Thinking.' If you want to see who’s doing what this year, check out the blog below.

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Dyslexia Awareness Month is our chance, every October, to shine a light on what dyslexia really is and to celebrate the people who live with it every day.

It’s all about helping schools, employers, families, and communities learn more, challenge old stigmas, and find better ways to support everyone.

Throughout the month, there are loads of resources and ideas to help educators and families build reading skills and confidence, all backed by experts and shared with the whole community.

Dyslexia is a learning difference, not a measure of how smart someone is. It mostly affects reading and spelling, but it has nothing to do with intelligence.

That’s one of the biggest messages we want to get out there this month, because there are still so many misunderstandings about what dyslexia really means.

When does it take place?

Dyslexia Awareness Month takes place every October, and in 2026, it runs from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 31 October. There are also a few special dates within the month that get a bit of extra attention.

• World Dyslexia Awareness Day: Falls on 8^th October 2026
• Dyslexia Awareness Week (UK, British Dyslexia Association): Running from 5^th to 11^th October 2026
• Dyslexia Awareness Week (US-oriented listings): Some calendars place it earlier; one tracker lists it from October 2^nd to October 8^th, allowing for a full week of awareness-raising activities.

Since different organisations run these mini events, the exact week might change depending on where you are. But no matter what, October is always the month we come together for dyslexia awareness.

Why does it matter?

Dyslexia is much more common than most people think. The International Dyslexia Association says that up to 15% to 20% of people show some signs of dyslexia, making it the most common learning difference out there.

That means in any classroom, there are probably a few kids with dyslexia, many of whom haven’t even been diagnosed yet. That’s why this month matters: it’s about closing those gaps, making sure teachers have the right training, workplaces and support tools, and everyone understands a bit more.

Dyslexia isn’t just something you deal with at school; it’s lifelong, and it can show up in all sorts of ways at work too.

From filling out forms to juggling information to using new systems, dyslexia can affect many parts of working life. That’s why in 2026 there’s a strong focus on making workplaces more supportive, as you’ll see in the directory below.

Who's supporting Dyslexia Awareness Month in 2026, and what are their themes?

• British Dyslexia Association (BDA) - Dyslexia Awareness Week, 5–11 October: Dyslexia in real life: At work — focused on dyslexic adults' experiences at work, including recruitment, communication, workplace systems, management, and access to adjustments.
• International Dyslexia Association - Dyslexia Awareness Month, 1–31 October, plus DyslexiaCon26 in November: A global campaign, promoted in partnership with organisations, that shares accurate information, highlights effective support, and celebrates the strengths and achievements of dyslexic people.
• Dyslexia Scotland - Dyslexia Awareness Week campaigns and year-round advocacy: Past campaigns have tackled myths directly and pushed policymakers on literacy support; their 2025 Dyslexia Awareness Week campaign set out to bust ten persistent myths and spread the facts.
• Made By Dyslexia - Ongoing global campaign and free training resources: Their mission is to teach the world the brilliance of Dyslexic Thinking and to empower it in every home, every workplace, and every school, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals through 2030.

This list is just a starting point, and many organisations and passionate advocates all run their own events in October; there’s something for everyone.

Who is the month aimed at?

Dyslexia Awareness Month is for everyone: teachers, parents, employers, policymakers, and anyone who wants to help build a more inclusive world. Dyslexia shows up in classrooms, workplaces, and homes, so the month's resources are split to help each group get what they need.

• Teachers and schools get structured literacy resources, fact sheets, and classroom guides.
• Parents and families get reading strategies and guidance on supporting a dyslexic child at home.
• Employers get workplace adjustment guidance, especially given the BDA's 2026 focus on work.
• Dyslexic individuals themselves get community, role models, and myth-busting content that pushes back on stigma.

How can you get involved?

You don’t have to organise a big campaign to get involved. Here are a few simple ways to start making a difference:

• Share the facts, not the myths. Dyslexia is about how people process reading and spelling, not about how smart someone is.
• If you’re an employer, look at your recruitment and workplace systems. Are there any hurdles that might make things harder for dyslexic team members?
• Parents and teachers, try exploring structured literacy approaches instead of sticking with one-size-fits-all reading methods. Every learner is different, and the right support can make a world of difference.
• Pick one or two of the organisations above to follow. Their October content is usually free, practical, and perfect for sharing with others.

What's Your Experience with Dyslexia Awareness Month?

Are you dyslexic, supporting someone who is, or maybe you’re an educator learning about this for the first time?

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about dyslexia? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we’d love to hear from you.