The Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center was co-founded in 1990 by program director Joan Esposito and her husband, executive director Leslie Esposito. The Center opened its permanent Santa Barbara office in July 1991.

Joan herself was functionally illiterate until age forty-four when she was successfully assesed as having dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. Since her identification and remediation at Santa Barbara City College, Joan has concentrated her efforts on providing information and awareness to the community and to all who have struggled with Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorders and other Learning Disabilities.