www.ldao.

ca

If you have recently been told that your child has a learning disability, or you suspect that
they do, this is a great place to start looking for information. LDAO works in many ways
to improve the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities in Ontario. The
organization can direct you to resources and supports in your community, wherever it is
that you live in Ontario. LDAO can also answer any questions you may have about
learning disabilities in general, and keep you up to date on the newest breakthroughs in
management strategies

What are Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities - LDs for short - affect one or more of
the ways that a person takes in, stores, or uses information.
LDs come in many forms and affect people with varying
levels of severity. Between 5 and 10 percent of Canadians
have LDs.

LDs are a life-long condition they do not go away but can

be coped with successfully by using areas of strength to
compensate and accommodations such as technology.

LDs and their effects are different from person to person, so

a persons pattern of learning abilities need to be understood
in order to find good, effective strategies for compensation.

Who They Are & What They Do

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) is a registered charity dedicated
to improving the lives of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities. LDAO offers
many resources, services, information, venues and products designed to help people with
LDs and ADHD, as well as parents, teachers, and other professionals.

LDAO advocates for and assists people with learning disabilities and their families in
meeting their expressed needs by:
providing support, guidance and up-to-date resource information
 providing the opportunity for the sharing of information and common concerns
encouraging research in the field of learning disabilities
supporting and generating legislative initiatives.
Furthers the educational, social, recreational, legal, medical, vocational and
employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Ontario.
Acquaints professionals working in the above listed fields education, recreation,
legislation and justice, health, vocational training and employment with the current
literature and research in the field of learning disabilities.
Creates public awareness of learning disabilities by informing the public of the
issues and challenges faced by people with learning disabilities. Check out some of
our public awareness events.

Programs and Publications

LDAO publishes materials related to learning and learning disabilities books,
workbooks, and the Communique magazine. All of the items below are available for
purchase through the websites online store.

Communiqu Some Assembly

Their twice-yearly magazine Required
explores issues and ideas
related to learning and A series of workbooks
learning disabilities from exploring learning and LDs
every walk of life. for students in grades
6-8.Topics include LDs,
study skills and the
transition to high school.

The Snapshot Series This is the Face of LD

Informational snapshots This is the Face of LD is a series
about a variety of LD of posters. The series tells the
related topics and issues. stories of six individuals who all
Some topics include: have learning disabilities.
Assistive Technology,
Labels and Labeling,
Mathematics, Reading,
Social Skills, Terms You
Will Hear and many more
Online Workshops and Courses
LDAO currently offers several online workshops and courses. Workshops are self-paced
online learning environments, similar to our courses, but without direct access to a
moderator. Though workshops are not facilitated, LDAO would continue to be available
to participants to answer questions and concerns in a timely manner.
Some of the courses offered are:
IEP 101 Online Workshop for Parents and Students
Parent Workshop Series: Setting Up Your Child For Success
Professionals Workshop Series: Introduction to LDs and ADHD
Learning Styles and Self-Advocacy for Youth
Learning Styles and Self-Advocacy for Adults
Job-Fit Employment Preparation
Partnering with Schools for Student Success: Effective Parent Advocacy

Public Policy and Advocacy

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) is the provincial association
representing the interests of persons with learning disabilities throughout Ontario.
As part of its mandate LDAO participates in many consultations and submits responses to
government initiatives or legislation that may impact children, youth or adults in Ontario
who have learning disabilities.
The following sections cover various public policy and systemic advocacy issues relevant
to LDAOs mandate.
LDAO Accessible Customer Service Policy (PDF File)
SEAC Circulars
The PAAC on SEAC Effective Practices Handbook
Public Policy Roundup
LDAO Policies/Positions & Public Policy Manual
LDAO Responses and Letters

Other Resources
The LDAO website also has many other resources such as articles, personal stories and
reflections, summaries of research studies, information on programs and services, lists of
other websites and online resources, materials, videos/DVDs, and Scholarships and
Bursaries information.
LDAO Chapters
Local chapters of the LDAO exist in many of Ontarios cities, and each offers services
centred around education and advocacy for people of all ages. Local Chapters are:
LDA Chatham-Kent LDA Peel Region
LDA Durham Region LDA Sudbury
LDA Halton LDA Toronto District
LDA Kingston LDA Wellington County
LDA London Region LDA Windsor-Essex County
LDA Niagara LDA York Region
LDA Ottawa-Carleton