What You Can Do

Support NJ Students with Dyslexia

ACTION ALERT for NJ Families: Now that you have the NJ Reading Disabilities Task Force Report and NJ Assembly bills A3605, A3606, A3607, A3608, A3609, and AR129 for reference, please complete the following two tasks ASAP:

1. Contact the your local Assemblymen & Senators and ask that they support, co-sponsor and VOTE YES on NJ Assembly bills A3605, A3606, A3607, A3608, A3609, and AR129 (and NJ Senate bills S2438, S2439, S2440, S2441, S2442 and SR91). Also ask them to let the Senate Education Committee Chair know that NJ parents want these bills POSTED! It is as easy as an email, fax or phone call!

Find your local legislators at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp

2. Contact Commissioner Cerf and ask that the NJ Department of Education support students with dyslexia by developing regulations that build on the recommendations outlined in the Task Force Report and the dyslexia bills.

Commissioner Chris Cerf
New Jersey Department of Education
100 River View Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625

Telephone: (609) 292-4450
Fax: (609) 777-4099
Email: chris.cerf@doe.state.nj.us

WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT THIS MINUTE?

  • Decoding Dyslexia - NJ - Getting InvolvedSign our DD-NJ Petition.
  • “Like” us on Facebook.
  • Write down your family’s story. CLICK HERE for tips!
  • Familiarize yourself with the current NJ bills focused on dyslexia. Find the bills at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/
    • Assembly bills A3605, A3606, A3608, A3609, and AR129
    • Senate bills S2438, S2439, S2440, S2441, S2442 and SR91
  • Send a letter and/or email to your local NJ legislators, share your personal story and ask that they support these bills. Find your legislators
    Tips for writing your family story can be found at www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c121.pdf.
  • Make an appointment to meet with your local legislators using DD-NJ’s helpful literature packet. (download DDNJ_InfoPacket2)
  • Encourage your US Representative to join the Bipartisan Congressional Dyslexia Caucus.
  • Sign the national Legalize Dyslexia: Grant Accommodations to Dyslexic Students petition.
  • Host a DD-NJ dyslexia roundtable discussion in your NJ county. Email INFO@DecodingDyslexiaNJ.org for details.
  • Share this information with 3 others and ask that they get involved in this movement also!

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

  • Join the NJ Branch of The International Dyslexia Association.
  • Join our DD-NJ Yahoo Parent Networking Group and interact with parents all over the state about what is working and not working for your child.
  • Get involved at a local level:
    • Inquire about your school district’s state mandated “Special Education Parent Advisory Group” and join. If they don’t have one yet, start your own. Technical Assistance is available for free through the START Project.
    • Get involved in your local PTA and help plan literacy events and/or fundraisers.
    • Go to school board meetings and consider becoming a school board member.
    • Join a variety of district committees, talk to other parents at local events, and discuss dyslexia with educators. Become a resource for others!
  • Get educated about Dyslexia
    • Read literature about dyslexia. Books, such as Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr.
      Sally Shaywitz, have been crucial for many parents in understanding our children’s
      needs.
    • Check out IDA and NJ IDA websites and literature.
    • Take a parent training course in reading intervention so that you can help your
      child at home.
    • Familiarize yourself with the NJ Administrative Code on Special Education.
    • Take a parent advocacy course through a group such as SPAN to understand your child’s rights.
    • Get second opinions through private testing by a university, learning center, educational consultant, speech pathologist, developmental pediatrician, occupational therapist, physical therapist and/or other specialists.
    • Speak to advocates, educators in private practice, and special education attorneys.
    • Attend seminars, get on mailing lists, and network with others from support groups and LD organizations in your area.

    (download printable sheet DDNJ_ThingsToDo)