50 Organizations Join Forces in 21 Locations to Illuminate the Nation Red
In a heartwarming show of solidarity and a resounding commitment to inclusivity, India came together for a ‘Walk for Dyslexia’ recently, to mark International Dyslexia Awareness Month. Union Secretaries Shri Sanjay Kumar and Shri Rajesh Agarwal, from the Department of School Education & Literacy and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, respectively, took the lead by flagging off the walk in New Delhi.
Dyslexia is a common but often misunderstood learning disability. It affects one in every five individuals globally, and in India, this translates to over 200 million individuals, including 35 million students. However, only 1 in 20 individuals with dyslexia get identified. Dyslexia is not just about difficulty with reading and writing; it’s about perceiving the world through a unique lens.
Individuals with dyslexia often have exceptional problem-solving skills, creativity, and a knack for thinking outside the box. It’s worth noting that 40% of self-made millionaires have dyslexia, and many of the world’s renowned inventors, including Albert Einstein, were known to have dyslexia.
The ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016’ officially recognized specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and mandated equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in education and employment. The ‘National Education Policy of 2020’ further reinforced this mandate by emphasizing inclusive education, starting from foundational education to higher education.
The ‘Walk for Dyslexia’ event is a testament to the growing support for individuals with learning disabilities. It aims to empower them to excel and contribute to society. The focus on early identification, building teacher capacities, and providing support and accommodations to students is essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of their learning differences, gets the best possible opportunities.
To quote Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, “Dyslexia has been recognized as one of the disabilities since 2016, and we need to come forward and make everyone aware about this issue as many great innovators and inventors have been dyslexic. I encourage everyone to treat all disabilities in a fair manner, be sensitive and be aware of the issues to ensure all children and adults get the best possible opportunities.”
Shri Sanjay Kumar added, “We all are here to Walk4Dyslexia; there’s a misconception that common is normal, and we are here to celebrate diversity. We all are One for inclusion.”
Dyslexia is not a limitation but a unique ability to think differently, and India is taking significant steps to embrace this diversity, fostering an environment where the next Nobel laureate, unicorn founder, or disruptive innovator may indeed emerge from the pool of differently abled minds. Together, we can create a world where every individual, regardless of their learning differences, has the opportunity to thrive and make a remarkable contribution to society.
Credits : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi
