As the parent of a child with a learning disability (LD) or an adult with LD, you understand the need to advocate for yourself and others. But how do you take it to the next level? How can you reach policymakers and push for change? Take action on our website through Action Alerts and learn more about the issues. If you are interested in advocacy, our internship is a great opportunity for a hands on experience.
NCLD Public Policy Director Laura Kaloi explains the importance and the how-to's of our LD Advocates Guide. The guide is a crucial tool to help people learn how to advocate for individuals with LD. More >
At the end of each year, TIME Magazine devotes its last issue to the Person of the Year, and this year, it selected "the protester" as the focus of what was an especially exciting and tumultuous 12 months. In a matter of a few weeks, the word "occupy" took on a whole new meaning, with... More >
What You Say Really Does Matter
As a professional working in the field of learning disabilities (LD) I am comforted to be surrounded (at least most of the time) by individuals who understand that learning disabilities are real and who appreciate the importance of timely, well-targe... More >
Legislative Terms
act
A bill or measure after it passes one or both chambers of Congress; also used to describe a law that is in place.
adjournment
The end of a legislative day and any business of that day; different from recess, which does not end the day.
adjo... More >
The first step to being an effective LD advocate is understanding the issue and how to talk about it. Your personal experiences may be motivating you, but it is important to educate yourself about the facts and figures and broaden your understanding of LD beyond what you've learned th... More >
Do learning disabilities (LD) affect your life? Whether you are a parent of a child with LD, an adult with LD, an educator or an LD professional, there's a place for you in the world of LD advocacy. Whether you have five minutes per week or a lot of time to spare, these tips will get... More >
If your learning disability is identified before you graduate from high school, self-advocacy activities should include your active involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Getting the help you need to be successful later on at work or in post-secondary schoo... More >
All politics are local — every piece of legislation that exists has local implications and is also based on local needs. It seems obvious, but it's important to remember. It means that laws exist because people like you worked to make them happen. Most of our current laws that assis... More >
Think of the media as a tool. Getting media coverage can help you draw attention to specific issues regarding learning disabilities, educate the public, and put policymakers on the spot by drawing attention to their actions. The media wields a lot of power in society today, but behin... More >
Who is an actual LD advocate? She or he is someone just like you. In this interview, Sandra Britt, the mother of three children with LD and past president of the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), describes how her efforts to seek a good education for her children led... More >
A member of the board of the New Hampshire Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, an esteemed author of articles on education advocacy and the mother of two sons, Suzanne Heath discusses how and why she connects policymakers with the information they need to make a differen... More >
Parents can be powerful advocates for children with learning disabilities. They can influence change and LD awareness at many levels. We asked NCLD's Parent Leaders what advice they would give other parent advocates. Here's a list of their top tips:
Start small and find your focus:... More >
Lyn Pollard & her two children
As the parent of a child with a learning disability or other learning difficulty, you’ve probably done your homework. You’ve read up on your child’s special needs, learned about what services he or she needs, and maybe even have a 504 pla... More >
What role should dads play in a home where learning disabilities are a factor? How important is dad’s voice when approaching school personnel? Three of NCLD’s Parent Leaders provide their perspective in the podcasts below.
Andrew Kavulich, has four children—and three of t... More >
To become an effective LD advocate, you need to understand what you are trying to represent. Though personal experiences may drive you, the ability to relate those experiences to the community as a whole is necessary to foment understanding and ultimately change. Simply understanding ... More >
The following is a transcription of the podcast, “Michael Kaczor on How to Be a Dad-vocate for Children with Learning Disabilities.” What role should a father play in a home where one (or more) child has learning disabilities? How important is the dad’s voice and presence when ... More >
The following is a transciption of the podcast, "Andrew Kavulich on How to Be a Dad-vocate for Children with Learning Disabilities." What role should a father play in a home where one (or more) child has learning disabilities? How important is the dad’s voice and presence when meet... More >
The following is a transcript of the podcast, "Altaf Rahamatulla on How to be a Dad-vocate for Children with Learning Disabilities." What role should a father play in a home where one (or more) child has learning disabilities? How important is the dad’s voice and presence when meeti... More >
My child is struggling 
Now that my child has 
