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July 1998
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July 1998
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By Glen MountneyThe Learning Disability Association of America ( LDA ) is a large non-profit association representing people of all ages with learning disabilities. It is the largest organization doing so. The organization's membership is over sixty thousand and it has chapters in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Its members are made up of people with learning disabilities, family members and concerned professionals, who go to bat for over two million school age students who have learning disabilities. There are over six hundred state and local chapters who are affiliated with National LDA, with members who work for learning disabled people, their parents, and those who render services to them.
There are nine goals which LDA has. These goals are as follow: 1) LDA seeks to teach people with learning disabilities and their parents on what type of disability they have, and also what rights they have; 2) LDA supports research on learning disabilities, neuro-phychological and psychological aspects; 3) it tries to make up an atmosphere of acceptance and to make the public aware of the L D situation; 4) the association attempts to make improvements in regular and special education (this is done through advocacy with the U.S. Department of Education; 5) LDA makes and supports legislative assistance; 6) it distributes information widely; 7) it works in order to create career opportunities; 8) LDA furnishes advocacy information and training; and 9) the organization supports education and training on learning disabilities for teachers of regular and special education. These goals and objectives are obtained by its national committees on advocacy, adult issues, education, legislation, early childhood, mental health, memberships, research, communication, outreach. These boards and committees are made up of mainly volunteer parents and people with learning disabilities.
The association offers the following services. Legislation where LDA representatives address Congress when there are calls for testimony on matters pertaining to special education.
Information and Referral Network - this is the only one of its kind in the country serving people with learning disabilities. The LDA and School Programs and Development with its state chapters make themselves accessible to directly work with school systems in planning and implementing programs in order for students to get better services. And, then there is membership in LDA. Members get the national newsletter (Newsbriefs) six times a year along with their state and local newsletters.
Parents are taught that they can advocate for their child and have access to support groups and educational meetings. Professionals are able to obtain the newest information concerning learning disabilities.
You may write to LDA
4156 Library Road,
Pittsburg PA 15234.1 412 341 1515
www.ldanatl.org
ldanatl@usaor.net.This article was written by Glen Mountney, Member-at-Large of the Learning Disability Association of Montgomery County in Maryland. At present, Glen is a Law Enforcement Student at Montgomery College, and a Security Guard at a U. S. Government Building. He is learning disabled himself. Glen was born in Columbus, Ohio where he started in Elementary School and then moved to Rockville, MD with his family in 1969.
LDAMC
P.O. Box 623
Rockville MD 20848-0623
Phone: 1 301 933 1076
E-mail LDAMCinfo@aol.com
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