The following resources provide a range of helpful information about learning differences.
Please note that many of these organizations use the word “disability” in their name and in their informational materials. The Foundation does not endorse use of this label, which is a limiting term, associated with reduced opportunity and quality of life. The Foundation believes that we needlessly punish children every time we define them by a label that denigrates their abilities, promotes misunderstanding, or limits their opportunities.
National Organizations and
Online Resources for Learning Differences
All Kinds of Minds
www.allkindsofminds.org
Those seeking greater understanding of learning differences shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the web site of Dr. Mel Levine and his remarkable organization, All Kinds of Minds, for ideas and resources. Dr. Levine’s many books for parents, children, and educators address learning differences of all kinds in an optimistic, honest, and inspiring way.
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) formerly "The Orton Dyslexia Society"
www.interdys.org
The IDA is an international, non-profit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia. It was first established nearly 50 years ago to continue the pioneering work of the distinguished neurologist, Dr. Samuel T. Orton, who was one of the first to study dyslexia and its remediation. IDA offers an international network that brings professionals in the field of dyslexia and parents together for a common purpose. Contact IDA for referral services for testing and tutoring, and for free information on assistive technologies; medical and educational research; national and local conferences and seminars; legislation; public awareness; and effective teaching methods.
International Dyslexia Association
40 York Road, 4 th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21204 phone: (800) ABCD123
LD on Line - An Interactive Guide to Learning Disabilities
www.ldonline.org
This well-designed and organized website should be the "next stop" for any parent, teacher, professional or other individual looking for up-to-date, in-depth information about learning differences. It includes introductory and detailed writings on a wide range of topics, a national calendar of events, an extensive network of national and local resources; art work and writings by children, parents, and other individuals with learning differences; discussion groups with parents and national experts; a bookstore; information for educators, families, and individuals; newsletters; and more.
LD Resources
www.ldresources.com
Meet the creative, energetic Richard Wanderman on this website, and explore its contents: an extensive weblog and a collection of articles and resources for the learning differences community, with a special focus on technology.
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
www.ldanatl.org
LDA was founded in 1964 by a group of concerned parents. Today it has over 60,000 members, including parents, professionals, and others. LDA is devoted to defining and finding solutions for a broad spectrum of learning problems. Their web site contains a wealth of information. For a free packet of information and referral to the nearest chapter, contact:
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349 phone: (888) 300-6710
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
www.ncld.org
NCLD is committed to "improving the lives of the millions of Americans affected by learning disabilities." It provides information, services, and programs nationwide to benefit children and adults with learning disabilities, their families, educators, and other helping professionals. Resources and services include: national information and referral (including an extensive computerized database with state by state resource listings of schools, diagnostic clinics, etc.); educational programs, including national and regional summits; public outreach and communications; legislative advocacy and public policy; and an extensive body of information on a range of topics.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Ave. South, Suite 1401
New York, NY 10016 phone: (888) 575-7373
National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities
www.charityadvantage.com/aacld/HomePage.asp
“The National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities (NAEAACLD) was founded in 1999 for the purpose of increasing awareness and promoting an understanding of the specific issues facing African American children. The organization’s mission is to link information and resources provided by an established network of individuals and organizations experienced in minority research and special education with parents, educators, and others responsible for providing a quality education for all students.”
NAEAACLD
P.O. Box 09521
Columbus, Ohio 43209
Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB& D)
www.rfbd.org
RFB&D was established in 1948 to provide recorded textbooks to veterans blinded in WW II. Today, RFB&D provides recorded educational materials at every academic level in CD format to individuals who are unable to use standard print. Books, texts, and reference materials are available to people with dyslexia, or with visual, physical or other disabilities.
Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540 phone: (800) 221-4792
SchwabLearning: A Parent's Guide to Helping Kids with Learning Differences
www.schwablearning.org
SchwabLearning.org contains countless articles on learning differences and disabilities, written especially for parents. Features of the site include new content every week, database of LD organizations and service providers, message boards, opportunity to submit questions to experts, weekly email newsletter and information in Spanish.
Resources Addressing Attention Problems
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
www.add.org
ADDA provides a wide range of information and resources, as well as an annual conference about adults and ADD.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 phone: (856) 439-9099
Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CH.A.D.D.)
www.chadd.org
CH.A.D.D. is a national organization with four primary objectives: 1) to maintain a support network for parents who have children with ADD and adults with ADD; 2) to provide a forum for continuing education of parents, professionals, and adults with ADD about the disability; 3) to be a community resource for information about ADD; and 4) to make the best educational experiences available to children with ADD so that their specific difficulties will be recognized and appropriately managed within educational settings.
Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785 phone: (800) 233-4050
Resources for Speech, Language
and Hearing Difficulties
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
www.asha.org
ASHA is a membership organization comprised of speech/language pathologists and audiologists. It provides a wealth of information and referrals to the public on speech, language, cp, communication, and hearing disorders.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852 phone: (800) 638-8255
Resources for Learning
Differences and Higher Education
The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
www.ahead.org
AHEAD is an international, multicultural membership organization of post-secondary institutions and professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. AHEAD's members are typically involved in the development of policy and in the provision of support services to persons with disabilities in higher education. The Association offers training programs, workshops, publications, and conferences.
Association of Higher Education and Disability ( AHEAD)
107 Commerce Center Drive, Suite 204
Huntersville, NC 28078 phone: (704) 947-7779
Especially for Educators
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
www.cast.org
Educators will find this cutting edge organization and its web site an inspiring place to explore the concept of “Universal Design” – curriculum and teaching that supports all learners and reduces barriers to learning, while maintaining high standards for all.
CAST
40 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 3
Wakefield, MA 01880-3233 phone: (781) 245-2212
Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)
www.cldinternational.org
The CLD is an international organization of and for professionals who establish standards of excellence and promote innovative strategies for research and practice through collaboration and advocacy.
Council for Learning Disabilities
11184 Antioch Road
Box 405
Overland Park, KS 66210 phone: (913) 491-1011
ERIC Clearinghouse
www.eric.ed.gov
Education Resources Information Clearinghouse provides free access to more than 1.2 million bibliographic records of journal articles and other education-related materials and, if available, includes links to full text. ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
www.nichcy.org
NICHCY is an information clearinghouse that provides information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA (the law authorizing special education); No Child Left Behind (as related to children with disabilities); and research-based information on effective educational practices.
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492 phone: (800) 695-0285 (V/TTY)
Teaching LD
www.teachingld.org
The purpose of TeachingLD is to provide trustworthy and up-to-date resources about teaching students with Learning Disabilities. In addition to serving as a resource for members of DLD, TeachingLD.org publishes content about assessment, instruction, and policy related to Learning Disabilities. Readers can find information about curriculum-based measurement for monitoring student progress; teaching methods such a co-teaching and direct instruction; and current issues such as response-to-intervention models.
