LDA’s Vision
LDA visualizes a world in which learning disabilities are universally understood, so all individuals are accepted, supported, and empowered to live a self-determined life.
LDA’s Mission
LDA’s mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy.
Our Work:
We empower individuals with learning disabilities, their families, educators, and professionals with key knowledge.
Through personalized and evidence-based programs, we provide tools, resources, and community, so individuals with learning disabilities can thrive, families can be supported, and those who work with individuals with LD can be well-informed.
Our team of highly trained specialists, educators, and therapists are passionate about supporting individuals with learning disabilities. We stay abreast of the latest research and best practices to ensure we offer the highest quality of programs and resources.
We aim to reach every family with free or low-cost resources like podcasts, how-to articles, and webinars.
We work to increase the rate of early and accurate identification and evidence-based interventions for individuals with learning disabilities.
Early learning disability identification is key to supporting an individual with LD and helping them to reach their fullest potential. We provide education and resources aligned to the most current research to ensure accurate identification and appropriate intervention.
LDA’s Specific Learning Disability Evaluation Principles and Standards serve as a guide to the best practices for the evaluation and identification of specific learning disabilities.
We provide essential localized support.
LDA has 35+ state affiliates that are made up of volunteers eager to connect individuals with learning disabilities and their families to resources that are close to home.
We advocate for individuals with learning disabilities.
We are committed to advocating for and protecting the rights of all individuals with learning disabilities. We use the latest research to inform federal and state policies affecting individuals with learning disabilities.
Read our 2021-2022 Annual Report here.
History of LDA
In 1963, a resourceful group of parents convened a conference in Chicago entitled “Exploration into the Problems of the Perceptually Handicapped Child.” The professionals that participated and these parents shared a common concern: the recognition of the dire need for services for their children, services that did not exist. During the months that followed, many preliminary details towards formation of a national organization were worked out. With a core of volunteers agreeing to become its nucleus, the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD), now known as The Learning Disabilities Association of America, was created and incorporated in January, 1964.
LDA Staff, Directors, and Officers
Contact members of the LDA National Office and learn more about the professionals and experts who serve LDA as members of its governing and advisory boards.
Partnerships
LDA engages in an array of ongoing collaborative activities that support the organization’s work on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities.
Click here to learn more about the organizations which partner with LDA
