MEDIA CONTACT: Maureen Swanson, Healthy Children Project Director, Learning Disabilities Association of America, 724.813.9684 Sen. Udall, Senate Leaders Introduce Bill to Ban Chlorpyrifos Nationwide Legislation endorsed by Learning Disabilities Association of America, one of the plaintiffs fighting Chlorpyrifos in the courts Washington, DC (March 28, 2019) – A day after President Trump’s EPA once again argued for delaying its own ban of chlorpyrifos in court, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced the Protect Children, Families and Farmworkers from Nerve Agent Pesticides Act, legislation that would ban the dangerous chemical. The Learning Disabilities Association of America calls on Congress to act swiftly to pass… Read More »
LDA News
Sen. Udall, Senate Leaders Introduce Bill to Ban Chlorpyrifos Nationwide
March 28, 2019 By Leave a Comment
LDA Applauds Bipartisan Bills to fully fund IDEA
March 27, 2019 By Leave a Comment
For decades a LDA legislative priority has been the full funding of IDEA. LDA wants to recognize and applaud Senators Van Hollen (D-MD) and Roberts (R-KS) and Representative Huffman (D-CA), Senate and House bill sponsors, as well as their co-sponsors, who have just introduced bipartisan bills to fully fund the IDEA (S. 866 and H.R. 1878). Call or email your Senators and your Representative. Tell them you are a constituent and a member of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, and that you support these bills! If your senators and representative have not yet signed on as co-sponsors, ask them… Read More »
LDA Condemns Fraud in College Admissions Testing Accommodations
March 12, 2019 By 7 Comments
Pittsburgh, PA, March 12, 2019. Today the FBI announced an investigation, code-named Operation Varsity Blues, that uncovered a network of wealthy parents who paid thousands of dollars to a college-admissions private counselor to boost their children’s chances of gaining entrance into elite colleges. The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling stating, “There can be no separate college admission for wealthy, and I will add there will not be a separate criminal justice system either.” The investigation also revealed that the counselor facilitated the cheating by instructing parents “to seek extended time for their children on college entrance exams, which included having the… Read More »
LDA’s Healthy Children Project Director: Pa. children deserve better than Andrew Wheeler in the EPA
February 11, 2019 By
LDA’s Healthy Children Project Director, Maureen Swanson, was recently featured in The Philadelphia Enquirer Editorial / Opinion pieces on recent happenings with the Environmental Protection Agency and why our children deserve better. Read the article here…
Conference Preview: An Interview with Lynn Miner Rosen
February 8, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Our own Mark Halpert interviews Lynn Miner Rosen about her session at the upcoming 56th Annual International Learning Disabilities Association of America Conference – February 18-21, 2019.
Watch the video…
LDA Responds to Federal Commission on School Safety Report
December 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Learning Disabilities Association of America has the following response to the release of the report of the Federal Commission on School Safety: The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) is pleased that today’s report highlights best practices such as the use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and a continuum of mental health services both in school and community settings. However, these practices are not new and, in fact, are already being implemented in schools around the country. LDA supports continuing and increasing these policies and practices. Of deeper concern to LDA is the Commission’s recommendation to rescind the… Read More »
Leading Organizations in the Field Challenge Myths about Learning Disabilities including Dyslexia
October 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Myths about learning disabilities rob many of their potential to succeed and contribute in school and in the workplace, according to a white paper released during Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia Month in October by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA). IDA and LDA recognize that in the absence of accurate and early identification and intervention, individuals with learning disabilities are at grave risk of never accessing their full academic, creative, and career potential. The untapped potential of individuals with learning disabilities is not simply a matter of personal tragedy. Under-serving this significant population… Read More »
It’s Learning Disabilities Awareness Month!
October 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Learning Disabilities Association of America is working hard this month to shine the spotlight on learning disabilities. It’s important to focus less on the disabilities aspect and focus more on the incredible abilities so many of these individuals possess as well as to emphasize the phenomenal achievements and important strides so many of these individuals have made. A calendar, offering free webinars, links to great apps, and a wealth of information not only about learning disabilities, but additional resources that could be helpful to you and your family can be found by clicking here. Keep an eye on our social media and be sure to sign up… Read More »
Tell EPA: All Families Deserve Clean Air
October 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed to roll back vehicle emission standards intended to decrease air pollution and greenhouse gases. The clean car standards have been in place since 2012 and are working to protect public health. The EPA’s much weaker “SAFE Vehicle” standards will result in worsening air pollution. While we typically connect smog and ozone to asthma and lung disease, studies show that air pollution harms children’s developing brains, putting them at higher risk for learning and behavior challenges. Rolling back standards that protect children’s health is the wrong direction. We have until October 26th to… Read More »
Sam Kirk Educator of the Year Award – 2019 Nominations
October 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Each year the LDA of America selects an outstanding educator to receive the Sam Kirk Educator of the Year Award. This is an opportunity to give educators a well-deserved “thank you” and lets them know that they are greatly valued for their contributions to individuals with learning disabilities. The award is designed so that exceptional educators can be honored at the local, state and national levels. We hope that every local and state affiliate will participate! Procedures for Nominations The recipient of the Sam Kirk Educator of the Year Award must be “an educator who has made outstanding contributions to… Read More »
LDA’s President featured in IMSE Journal
July 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
LDA’s own President, Beth McGaw was recently featured in the IMSE Journal. Take a look at this insightful article about our newest President’s journey to empower educators, parents and students to better support students with learning and attention issues – a journey which began long ago while working in another role: mom.
LDA Statement on School Safety
July 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Learning Disabilities Association of America recently developed comments to submit to the Federal Commission on School Safety on how to improve safety in our schools and specifically how to address the needs of students with learning disabilities in a safe school environment.
LDA Opposes Delay in Implementation of Department of Education’s Guidelines
May 8, 2018 By 1 Comment
LDA recently submitted a letter in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal to delay implementation of guidelines for public schools for identifying, monitoring and addressing disproportionality in special education identification, placement and discipline. LDA opposes this delay. Click here to find out why.
DIY Shouldn’t Be Deadly!
April 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
This week, LDA and 16 LDA state affiliates, along with partner organizations, sent a letter urging Lowe’s to take swift action to protect people from methylene chloride and N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), toxic chemicals commonly found in paint strippers sold in Lowe’s stores throughout the country. Children whose mothers are exposed to methylene chloride or NMP during pregnancy are at higher risk for problems with brain development, learning and behavior. Studies link men’s exposure to the toxic solvents to impaired sperm quality and higher risk of babies with low birth weight, which in turn can contribute to learning and developmental disabilities. Methylene chloride… Read More »
National experts in education, child care and children’s health issue joint call to get lead out of schools and child care facilities, which enroll more than 66 million children in the U.S.
April 4, 2018 By 2 Comments
The report, “Eliminating Lead Risks in Schools and Child Care Facilities,” outlines strategies to ensure lead-free learning environments and prevent risks to significant numbers of children across the country. The report is the result of a workshop convened by the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Children’s Environmental Health Network and Healthy Schools Network. “Lead has no place in learning environments. Even low levels of lead are linked to learning disabilities, attention problems and IQ deficits,” said Maureen Swanson, Healthy Children Project Director, Learning Disabilities Association of America. “Getting lead out of schools and child care facilities is doable and will… Read More »
New Jersey Resident Receives National Educator of the Year Award
March 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MEDIA CONTACT: Mary-Clare Reynolds, Executive Director Telephone: 412-341-1515, extension 206 Email: mcreynolds@ldaamerica.org Website: www.ldaamerica.org Steven Korner Named Educator of the Year by Learning Disabilities Association of America Pittsburgh, PA (March 8, 2018) – Steven Korner, PhD, was presented the Sam Kirk Educator of the Year Award during the 55th Annual Learning Disabilities of America (LDA) Conference, February 21-24, in Atlanta, Georgia. Korner, a licensed psychologist in private practice, is Coordinator of Special Education at the Harrington Park School District in Harrington Park, NJ. Korner has been working to build a Response to the Right Intervention (RTRI) program based upon neuropsychological principles… Read More »
Princeton Junction Resident Receives National Award
March 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MEDIA CONTACT: Mary-Clare Reynolds, Executive Director Telephone: 412-341-1515, extension 206 Email: mcreynolds@ldaamerica.org Website: www.ldaamerica.org Mark Brugger Presented Harrison Sylvester Award by Learning Disabilities Association of America Pittsburgh, PA (March 8, 2018) – Mark Brugger of Princeton Junction, NJ, received the Harrison Sylvester Award during the 55th Annual International Learning Disabilities of America (LDA) Conference on Thursday, February 22nd at the Hilton Atlanta, in Atlanta, GA. Brugger developed “Spotlight on Dyslexia,” an online conference that draws a national audience to the latest information on learning disabilities presented by nationally recognized speakers. The Harrison Sylvester Award recipient is a person with learning disabilities who… Read More »
#GetArsenicOut Campaign
December 15, 2017 By 1 Comment
Did you know that there is arsenic in baby cereal? Infant rice cereal has 6 times more arsenic than other kinds of infant cereal. Any level of arsenic is dangerous and health risks include a link to learning disabilities in children. Brooks Applied Labs* in Bothell, WA tested more than 100 samples of infant rice. The report found that overall, oatmeal, barley, buckwheat, organic quinoa, wheat and rice-free multigrain baby cereals contained much lower amounts of inorganic arsenic than rice cereals. What can parents do now? Avoid infant rice cereal and choose oatmeal or multigrain cereal instead. If you need to eat rice… Read More »
Atlanta Here We Come!
December 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Ann Kornblet, 2018 General Conference Chair Atlanta here we come!! One of LDA’s favorite conference venues is ready to once again host the International Conference. All activities will be held at the Hilton Atlanta in beautiful downtown Atlanta. Many thanks to LDA Program Co-Chairs, Jennifer Harkins and Loreena Parks, the Program Committee members and LDA Committees for putting together the very best Program yet! 150 sessions are offered over four days. Hats off to LDA of Georgia President, Joan Teach, and the hard- working Georgia volunteers. They have worked to bring you the southern hospitality Atlanta is known for… Read More »
[LDA Action Alert] Tell Your Senators to VOTE NO on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
November 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Background: On November 16, the House of Representatives passed its version of a tax bill. Now the Senate is finalizing its own version. Both bills are extremely damaging because they: Increase the deficit significantly to provide tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans and corporations. May trigger cuts in mandatory programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income – including also possibly eliminating the Vocational Rehabilitation State Grant program – if there aren’t enough savings in required program cuts to offset the increased deficit. The Senate bill is worse than the House bill in one significant way: It… Read More »
LDA Signs on as a Friend-of-the-Court in LSAT Accommodations Case
November 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) has signed on as an amicus (friend-of-the-court) in a brief filed by Jo Anne Simon, PC, on November 3, 2017 with the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Read More >>
LDA Submits Comments to U.S. Secretary of Education
November 14, 2017 By 1 Comment
The Learning Disabilities Association of America took the opportunity to submit comments regarding the U.S. Secretary of Education’s proposed supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant programs (Fed. Register, Oct. 12, 2017). Read More »
Major New Warning: Toxic Flame Retardants
October 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers, especially pregnant women and children, to avoid furniture, kids’ products, electronics, and mattresses that contain certain toxic flame retardants. It’s welcome advice and follows the agency’s recommendation that these chemicals be banned in consumer products. The commission also voted to move forward with rule-making to ban the chemicals in these product categories. While this is great news, are you left wondering what to do now? Click here for some great tips to help you reduce your exposure until these chemicals are officially banned from consumer products.
LDA Weighs in on DACA
October 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
One in every five students has learning disabilities. The vision of LDA is to ensure all individuals with LD are empowered to thrive and participate fully in society. This vision extends to all children in our public and private schools regardless of their family background or status. To ensure all students continue to receive appropriate services, the LDA Board agreed to sign on to the following letter with a broad array of national education organizations.
Homework: Don’t Let Today’s Kindness Be Tomorrow’s Cruelty
September 26, 2017 By 4 Comments
Homework. In many families, this word brings up instant angst – LD or no LD. Students who struggle to complete homework often voice negative thoughts and demonstrate negative behaviors about it in such a way that the whole family can develop anxiety over the concept. As parents, we try supportive measures such as creating a quiet organized desk space. We play classical music. We make other family members go to a different area of the house during homework time. We try to encourage/force completion through a rewards or consequences system. We might even sit and do the work with (hopefully… Read More »
