Many exciting events are happening in Washington, DC, on education and learning disabilities!



Media
On Wednesday, February 15th, The Diane Rehm Show on National Public Radio featured Laura Kaloi, NCLD’s public policy director, with brain research experts on the topic of dyslexia. Listen to the show, “The Dyslexic Brain.”

On February 9th, the Education Week blog featured NCLD’s position on the Obama Administration approval of 10 state waivers under No Child Left Behind.  

White House and Capitol Hill
On February 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. EST, NCLD will bring fifteen parents, young adults with LD, and special education experts to the White House to co-host a disability education roundtable. The status and needs of students with disabilities will be discussed with White House and U.S. Department of Education officials. This is in partnership with the Council for Exceptional Children. In order to participate, you must RSVP by completing this web form. 

The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing “The Promise of Accessible Technology: Challenges and Opportunities” which featured Dr. John Quick, an expert on universal design for learning (UDL).  The hearing highlighted how UDL can create greater access to the curriculum and information used in today’s classroom – creating opportunities for all students, especially students with LD.  The hearing also included recommendations from the Accessible Instructional Materials Commission released in December. NCLD’s executive director, James Wendorf participated as a commissioner in the development of the report.  

Partnerships
NCLD has partnered with The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Education Trust, Council for LaRaza and over 30 other groups to oppose the ESEA reauthorization bills introduced in the House by Chairman John Kline (H.R. 3989/H.R. 3990). The bills discriminate against all disadvantaged students, including students with disabilities, as they rollback accountability for student achievement and allow students to be taken off track to graduate high school with a regular diploma.  

On Thursday, February 16, the House bills were discussed at a hearing in the Education and Workforce Committee.  NCLD brought parents to the hearing to oppose the bill.  

Stay tuned for our video launch the week of February 20th on NCLD’s ESEA campaign to continue to fight this bill. We hope you will join us and take action to Tell Congress: Don’t Harm Kids with LD!

Join our Legislative Action Center to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill as an advocate for people with LD.