Dyslexia Advocates Call for Changes in Classrooms
Joseph Harris was in his second semester of his freshman year, when he discovered that he was struggle with his Spanish homework. It would usually take him 2-3 hours to complete, even though it was a simple assignment. He soon found out that he was struggling with dyslexia. Harris was one of about 200 teachers, students, scientists and other advocates who gathered Monday at Yale University to call for changes in the nation's classrooms, standardized tests and culture to help dyslexic people succeed. Dr. Sally Shaywitz, who co-directs the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity with her husband, Dr. Bennett A. Shaywitz, created a movement where schools would provide a dyslexic friendly environment. Their sole goal is to change the public perception of dyslexia so that it is not seen as a sign of ignorance.