Illuminations Breaking Barriers Dyslexia Conference

The inaugural Breaking Barriers: Expanding Literacy Beyond the Elementary and Into the Content Areas conference, held October 2–3, 2025, at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian, Mississippi, marked an extraordinary milestone in advancing dyslexia intervention strategies for students in grades 4–12.

This groundbreaking two-day event brought together educators, researchers, specialists, advocates, and vendors from across the region — all united by a shared mission to transform literacy instruction across every content area.

Participants engaged in dynamic 60-minute sessions that showcased innovative research, practical strategies, and evidence-based approaches to literacy and learning differences in upper-elementary, middle, and high-school settings. In addition, a diverse range of vendors offered hands-on demonstrations, valuable resources, and professional tools to support educators in implementing evidence-based literacy practices.

From the enthusiastic networking to the thought-provoking presentations and engaging vendor exhibits, the conference proved to be an inspiring and impactful start to a growing annual tradition. Plans are already underway for Breaking Barriers 2026, building on the momentum of this year’s success and expanding opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and community impact.