Alicia Smith

Alicia Smith is the Executive Director of Dyslexia Canada and past President of the International Dyslexia Association Ontario.
Identified with dyslexia in high school, Alicia experienced firsthand the stigma, fear, and silence that often surround learning differences. Years later, when her first child was identified with dyslexia, she confronted the challenges of navigating the education system to secure the support her child needed. That experience fueled her commitment to systemic change.

Alicia believes that seamless access to effective instruction, intervention, and support within the public education system is a human right. She works to make systemic issues visible to decision makers by combining data, research, and lived experience. Alongside parents, educators, and local organizations, she advocates for policy change and has supported multiple human rights commissions in investigating the issues. Alicia now collaborates with ministries of education across Canada as they examine and update policies to strengthen reading instruction and support for students.