Know the law
Dyslexia laws by state & country
Every US state now has dyslexia legislation. Here's what the laws require, where the gaps are, and what rights exist worldwide.
The big picture
Last updated July 10, 2026
Dyslexia law in the United States
As of 2026, all 50 states have enacted dyslexia-related legislation — nearly 200 laws in total. But "having a law" can mean very different things. Most state laws address one or more of these pillars:
Universal screening
Requiring schools to screen all students (typically K–2, sometimes K–3) for reading difficulty and dyslexia risk indicators like phonemic awareness and rapid naming.
Intervention requirements
Requiring evidence-based, structured-literacy intervention for students flagged by screening — the pillar most often missing or underfunded.
Teacher preparation & training
Requiring dyslexia coursework in teacher licensure, in-service training, or designated dyslexia specialists in districts.
Handbooks, definitions & pilots
Defining dyslexia in state code, publishing state dyslexia handbooks, appointing state dyslexia coordinators, and funding pilot programs.
What federal laws protect students with dyslexia?
Regardless of your state, three federal laws protect students with dyslexia in the US:
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) — dyslexia is expressly named as a condition under the "Specific Learning Disability" category. Qualifying students receive an IEP with specially designed instruction and a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act — students whose dyslexia substantially limits reading can receive accommodations (audiobooks, extended time, assistive technology) through a 504 plan, even if they don't qualify under IDEA.
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) — protects against discrimination in schools, testing organizations, colleges, and workplaces, including the right to reasonable accommodations.
Federal guidance issued in 2015 (the US Department of Education's "Dear Colleague" letter) clarified that schools may — and are encouraged to — use the word dyslexia in evaluations and IEPs.
State by state
What do the strongest state dyslexia laws require?
Requirements change every legislative session, so we highlight well-known examples below and link to continuously updated trackers for the current picture in your state.
| State | Known for | Key elements |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | The longest-standing framework | Screening required in K and grade 1; the state Dyslexia Handbook sets out identification and instruction requirements; districts must provide evidence-based dyslexia programs. |
| Arkansas | Comprehensive screening-to-intervention pipeline | Universal K–2 screening plus required intervention delivered by trained personnel, with dyslexia specialists supporting districts. |
| Mississippi | Early literacy turnaround | Screening in K and grade 1, dyslexia therapy scholarships, and a broader literacy-based promotion policy credited with major reading gains. |
| Connecticut | Teacher preparation | Dyslexia detection and structured-literacy coursework required within educator preparation; ongoing state-level dyslexia work. |
| California | Guidelines & recent screening push | State dyslexia guidelines; universal screening for reading difficulties required for young learners beginning in the 2025–26 school year. |
| Tennessee | "Say Dyslexia" law | Requires screening, notification to families, and dyslexia-specific intervention delivered through an MTSS framework. |
| New Jersey | Screening deadlines | Requires screening by the end of first semester of second grade for students showing indicators, plus professional development requirements. |
| Ohio | Recent comprehensive overhaul | Phased-in universal K–3 screening, structured literacy certification requirements for teachers, and a state dyslexia guidebook. |
Find your state
Continuously updated state-by-state trackers:
Read the fine print
When you look up your state, check: Is screening required or encouraged? Is intervention mandated and funded? Who must be trained? What must schools tell parents? The gaps are where advocacy is needed.
Laws ≠ implementation
Recent research finds that despite near-universal legislation, outcomes for struggling readers change only when laws are funded, monitored, and implemented. See our analysis.
Around the world
What dyslexia rights exist in other countries?
Most developed nations protect learners with dyslexia through disability-rights frameworks rather than dyslexia-specific statutes. Highlights:
United Kingdom
Dyslexia is recognized as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 when it has a substantial, long-term effect on day-to-day activities. Schools, universities, and employers must make reasonable adjustments (assistive technology, extra time, modified assessment). In England, the SEND framework provides support plans, up to statutory Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Canada
Education is provincial, but human-rights codes in every province require accommodation of learning disabilities. Ontario's Human Rights Commission's Right to Read inquiry (2022) was a landmark, calling for universal early screening and systematic phonics — recommendations now reshaping curricula in several provinces.
United States
IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA (see above), plus dyslexia-specific statutes in all 50 states.
Australia
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005 require schools to make reasonable adjustments for students with dyslexia. A national Year 1 Phonics Check has been adopted in several states, led by South Australia.
European Union & beyond
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) — ratified by the EU and most nations worldwide — guarantees inclusive education and reasonable accommodation. Implementation varies: some countries (e.g., Italy, with Law 170/2010) have dyslexia-specific legislation guaranteeing compensatory tools and modified assessment; others rely on general special-education frameworks.
Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change frequently — always verify current requirements with your state department of education or a qualified special education attorney or advocate.