Dyslexia is a "silent disability" in the sense that it is very difficult to tell who has dyslexia and who does not. The fact that this disability is often hidden tends to isolate those with dyslexia working in highly competitive scientific environments, where admission of a cognitive disability may be perceived as a weakness.

Scientists with dyslexia who attended grade school prior to the late 1970s are not likely to have been diagnosed as having dyslexia because testing for this disability was not offered in schools prior until later. Many senior scientists with dyslexia realize their impairment only after their children are diagnosed in school (dyslexia is hereditary). Thus, substantial numbers of researchers may have dyslexia and not know how this may have shaped their careers.

This project provides community to those with dyslexia pursuing careers science. Among the supports this program offers are the following:

• An informational Wiki site built by scientists with dyslexia
• A program to provide mentoring for people pursuing science-related careers
• Access to reliable information about dyslexia
• Provision for confidential peer-to-peer exchange

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