Site Map     Search the Catalog     Find a Library     FAQ     Sign Up     Contact Us

Home > Reference  >  Circulars  >  Learning Disabilities: Organizations and Resources

NLS Reference Circulars

Learning Disabilities: Organizations and Resources

Issued May 1997

Introduction

This reference circular describes sources of information for persons with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals.

Section I of the circular is an annotated, alphabetical listing of organizations, including information clearinghouses, research institutions, referral agencies, and advocacy groups. These organizations provide information on parenting, education, transition from high school to work or higher education, employment, independent living skills, and legal advocacy. Several of the organizations publish journals, brochures, newsletters, and catalogs.

Section II is a selective bibliography of materials dealing with learning disabilities. Topics include information for parents, education, legislation, and adaptive technologies. Section III describes federal legislation concerning education and employment of persons with learning disabilities. Section IV lists state agencies that administer rehabilitation programs for persons with learning disabilities.

Contents

1. Organizations
2. Selective Bibliography
3. Federal Legislation
4. State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Organizations

Publishes materials for parents, including brochures on learning disabilities in children and young adults and on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

Administers special testing for students with current, documented disabilities unable to take the ACT test under standard conditions. Provides practice tests in alternative formats.

Promotes public awareness through learning disabilities information centers in public libraries. Provides a variety of materials for libraries, including a selective bibliography and literature from major learning disability organizations.

Acts as an international forum for professionals in higher education who are interested in services and support for persons with disabilities. Offers regional training programs, conferences, workshops, and brochures for college students with learning disabilities.

Provides information and support to families of children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), adults with ADD, and professionals. Presents conferences and workshops on research and treatments for ADD, serves as a resource for speakers, and assists in the formation of local AD-IN chapters.

Offers a variety of services and materials on reading and writing for parents and teachers, including workshops and a catalog of publications. Also operates free tutoring services at the AVKO Reading Clinic and maintains a specialized collection of materials on learning disabilities and dyslexia for community residents and members of the foundation.

Acts as a clearinghouse of information for persons with brain injury and their families through a national network of state associations. Participates in legislative advocacy and supports research and prevention awareness. Operates the toll-free family helpline.

Serves as a parent-based organization for individuals with attention deficit disorder (ADD). Offers family support and advocacy and public and professional education. Publishes Attention! Magazine and a series of fact sheets on current ADD research. Also offers conference audio tapes.

Assists educators and families of students with disabilities. Conducts conferences and programs; publishes journals and newsletters on current research and special education topics; develops and implements standards for special education; operates the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, a federally funded clearinghouse sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Provides information on learning disabilities for professionals; holds state and regional meetings and an annual international conference; publishes the journals, LD Forum and Learning Disabilities Quarterly.

Acts as a legal resource for persons with disabilities. Offers information and referrals on disability rights laws and educational issues; provides training and speakers on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); operates the ADA Technical Assistance Hotline.

Makes accommodations for persons with learning disabilities taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for college admission. Provides practice materials in special format.

Provides special accommodations for persons with learning disabilities taking the General Educational Development (GED) tests to earn a high school diploma. Publishes a brochure, GED Test Accommodations for Candidates with Specific Learning Disabilities.

Operates the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Publishes materials on educational support services, adult education programs, independent living centers, and college opportunities.

Serves children and adults with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals. Works through state and local chapters to disseminate information about education and legislation. Encourages research and provides publications and advocacy information.

Focuses on research and training related to adolescents and adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. Publishes National Information Resource Guide for and About Adults and Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders, a guide for adolescents in transition and adults with learning disabilities. The guide includes information about consumer groups, transition programs, (Employment, government agencies which implement the ADA, and assistive technologies.

Conducts diagnostic services, including comprehensive evaluations for learning disabilities and dyslexia. Also offers individual tutoring sessions and educational programs for professionals.

Serves as a national exchange network for information, resources, and research on adult literacy and learning disabilities. Publishes a newsletter, Linkages, and maintains state resource sheets of available resources in each state and territory in the United States.

Promotes lifelong learning for adults with special learning needs. Represents and communicates needs of members to legislative bodies and professional groups; sponsors adult education programs and an annual conference; encourages research; facilitates exchange of information and publishes a newsletter.

Promotes public awareness and understanding of children and adults with learning disabilities through newsletters, educational and training programs, legislative advocacy, and the journal Their World. Provides information and resources on education, camps, clinics, colleges, and support groups. Prepares personalized packets in response to requests.

Provides rehabilitation and social services, educational evaluations, and advocacy for persons with disabilities. Offers publications and videos on a variety of topics, including the ADA and education and employment of persons with disabilities.

Serves as an information clearinghouse that provides literature on disabilities, with a focus on children and young adults. Provides personal responses to questions on legal issues, special education, and family issues. Makes referrals to other organizations and agencies, including parent groups, professional associations, and regional and state organizations. Publishes materials on specific disabilities, resources, and special education. Provides some publications in Spanish.

Conducts and supports research on mental health and mental illness, including research on children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Offers publications on learning and language disabilities.

Administers a free library service that lends braille and recorded books and magazines to individuals who are unable to use standard print material because of a visual or physical disability. Circulates reading materials and playback machines to eligible borrowers through cooperating regional and subregional libraries. Publishes a factsheet, Talking Books and Reading Disabilities, that outlines eligibility requirements for persons with learning disabilities.

Disseminates information on disability and rehabilitation, including literature and data resulting from federally funded research projects. Also offers commercially published books, articles, and audiovisual material.

Promotes study and treatment of dyslexia; provides information for educators, parents, and physicians, including information on support groups, referrals, Individualized Education Programs, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Conducts conferences and seminars and publishes the journal Perspectives and a newsletter, Annals of Dyslexia. Maintains branch chapters in the United States, Canada, and Israel.

Facilitates communication, coordination, and public and private efforts to employ persons with disabilities. Works through governors' and mayors' committees in various states and cities to provide information, training, and technical assistance to employers, rehabilitation specialists, and families and individuals with disabilities. Sponsors National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Focuses on research and dissemination of information about adults with specific learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. Provides publications, conferences and training programs, and audio tapes of Rebus Institute conference presentations.

Loans educational materials and textbooks to persons with verified visual, physical, or specific learning disabilities that substantially limit reading. Also sells E-Text, a collection of fiction and nonfiction electronic books. One-time registration fee and annual membership fee are required of all applicants.

Selective Bibliography

ADHD in adults. New York: Guilford Publications, 1994. 37-minute videocassette. $95. (72 Spring Street 10012).

ADHD: what can we do? New York: Guilford Publications, 1993. 37-minute videocassette. $95.

ADHD: what do we know? New York: Guilford Publications, 1993. 36-minute videocassette. $95.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. NICHCY fact sheet. Washington: National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY), 1996. 2p. Free. (P.O. Box 1492 DC 20013-1492). Also available on NICHCY website.

Barkley, Russell A. Taking charge of ADHD: the complete, authoritative guide for parents. New York: Guilford Publications, 1995. 294p.

Barr, Vickie M., Rhona C. Hartman, and Stephen A. Spillane. Getting ready for college: advising high school students with learning disabilities. HEATH resource paper. Washington: HEATH Resource Center, 1995. 17p. (entire issue). $2. (One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 800, DC 20036-1193). Also available on HEATH Resource Center website.

Cicci, Regina. What's wrong with me? learning disabilities at home and school. Baltimore: York Press, 1995. 253p.

Clausen, Janice. "Vocational barriers encountered by college students with learning disabilities." Journal of rehabilitation, v. 63, Jan./Feb./Mar. 1997: 34-37.

Cordoni, Barbara. Living with a learning disability. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1990. 174p.

Cronin, Eileen M. Helping your dyslexic child: a step-by-step program for helping your child improve reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, and self-esteem. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1993. 198p.

Davis, Ronald D. The gift of dyslexia: why some of the smartest people can't read and how they can learn. San Juan Capistrano, CA: Ability Workshop Press, 1994. 216p. (1997 edition forthcoming).

Directory of college facilities and services for people with disabilities. 4th ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1996. 423p.

Exceptional children. Quarterly. $58/year. The Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1589.

Exceptional parent. Monthly. $28/year. Psy-Ed, 555 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ 07649.

Fanchiang, Shan-Pin C. "The other side of the coin: growing up with a learning disability." The American journal of occupational therapy, v. 5, April 1996: 277-285.

Fowler, Mary. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. NICHCY briefing paper. Washington: National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, 1994. 16p. (entire issue). $2. Also available on NICHCY website.

Gardner, Daniel, and Rhona C. Hartman. Financial aid for students with disabilities. HEATH resource paper. Washington: HEATH Resource Center, 1996. 12p. (entire issue). $2. Also available on HEATH Resource Center website.

Gardner, Daniel, Angella Griffin, and Anne Reamer. 1996 pre-college programs for students with learning disabilities. Washington: HEATH Resource Center, 1996. 11p. Also available on HEATH Resource Center website.

Gorman, Audrey J. "The 15 percent solution: libraries and learning disabilities." American libraries, v. 27, Jan. 1997: 52-54.

Hallowell, Edward. When you worry about the child you love. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996. 280p.

Hayes, Marnell L. You don't outgrow it: living with learning disabilities. Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications, 1993. 240p.

HEATH national resource directory on postsecondary education and disability. Washington, DC: HEATH Resource Center, 1996. 64p. $5.

Homework and learning disabilities: a common sense approach. Evanston, IL: Altschul Group, 1991. 35-minute videocassette. $295, rental $50. (1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 100 60201).

Jordan, Dale R. Overcoming dyslexia in children. 2d ed. Austin, TX: PRO-ED, 1996. 367p.

Journal of learning disabilities. Bimonthly. $49/year. PRO-ED, 8700 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, TX 78757-6897.

Kavale, Kenneth A., and Steven R. Forness. "Learning disability grows up: rehabilitation issues for individuals with learning disabilities." Journal of rehabilitation, v. 62, Jan./Feb./Mar. 1996: 34-41.

Last one picked ... first one picked on. Alexandria, VA: PBS Video, 1994. 62-minute videocassette. $49.95. (1320 Braddock Place 22314).

Latham, Peter S., and Patricia H. Latham. Learning disabilities and the law. Washington, DC: JKL Communications, 1993. 178p.

LDA newsbriefs. 6/year. $13.50/year. Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), 4156 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234.

Learning disabilities. NICHCY fact sheet. Washington: National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, 1996. 2p. Free. Also available on NICHCY website.

Learning disability: a parent's guide. Evanston, IL: Altschul Group, 1993. 35-minute videocassette. $295.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. "Facts: talking books and reading disabilities." Washington, DC: 1997. 4p. Free. Available on the web at:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/readingdisabilities.html

Mangrum, Charles T., and Stephen S. Strichart, eds. Peterson's colleges with programs for students with learning disabilities. 4th ed. Princeton, NJ: Peterson's Guides, 1994. 673p.

Moats, Louisa Cook, and G. Reid Lyon. "Learning disabilities in the United States: advocacy, science, and the future of the field." Journal of learning disabilities, v. 26, May 1993: 282-294.

Murphy, Stephen T. On being LD: perspectives and strategies of young adults. New York: Teachers College Press, 1992. 154p.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. The education of children and youth with special needs: what do the laws say? Compiled by Lisa Kupper. Washington, 1996. 16p. (NICHCY news digest ND15). $4. Also available on NICHCY website.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. Reading and learning disabilities. Compiled by Lisa Kupper. Washington, 1995. 16p. (NICHCY briefing paper FS17). $2. Also available on NICHCY website.

National Institute of Mental Health. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Compiled by Sharyn Neuwirth. Rockville, MD, 1994. 42p. [pamphlet]. Free.

National Institute of Mental Health. Learning disabilities. Compiled by Sharyn Neuwirth. Rockville, MD, 1993. 38p. [pamphlet]. Free.

News digest. Irregular. $2 or $4. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.

Nosek, Kathleen. The dyslexic scholar: helping your child succeed in the school system. Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing, 1995. 177p.

Osmond, John. The reality of dyslexia. Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books, 1995. 150p.

Page fright. New York: Filmmakers Library, 1992. 28-minute videocassette. $295, rental $55. (124 East 40th Street 10016).

Patton, James R., and Edward A. Polloway, eds. Learning disabilities: the challenges of adulthood. Austin, TX: PRO-ED, 1996. 303p.

Payne, Mario D., and Rose Sachs. Educational software and adaptive technology for students with learning disabilities. HEATH resource paper. Washington: HEATH Resource Center, 1994. 8p. Also available on HEATH Resource Center website.

Reading and writing quarterly: overcoming learning difficulties. Quarterly. $175/year. Taylor and Francis, 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598.

Shaywitz, Sally E. "Dyslexia." Scientific American, v. 275, Nov. 1996:98-104.

Silver, Larry B. The misunderstood child: a guide for parents of children with learning disabilities. 2d ed. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, 1991. 325p.

Slovak, Irene. BOSC directory: facilities for people with learning disabilities. Congers, NY: BOSC Publishers, 1995. 1 v. (unpaged).

Smith, Sally L. No easy answers: the learning disabled child at home and at school. Rev. ed. New York: Bantam Books, 1995. 400p.

Spafford, Carol Sullivan, and George S. Grosser. Dyslexia: research and resource guide. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1996. 340p.

Sturomski, Neil. "The transition of individuals with learning disabilities into the work setting." Topics in language disorders, v. 16, May 1996: 37-51.

Their world. Annual. $6/year. National Center for Learning Disabilities, 381 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016.

Transition summaries. Irregular. $2 or $4. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.

Vogel, Susan A., and Pamela B. Adelman. Success for college students with learning disabilities. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1992. 360p.

Wallbrown, Fred H., and Jane D. Wallbrown. So your child has a learning problem: now what? 2d ed. Brandon, VT: Clinical Psychology Publishing, 1990. 171p.

Washington, Charles W., ed. "Family literacy." Linkages, v. 3, spring 1996: 1-17 (entire issue).

We can learn: understanding and helping children with learning disabilities. New York, NY: National Center for Learning Disabilities, 1991. 40-minute videocassette. $43.90.

Wodrich, David L. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: what every parent wants to know. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes, 1994. 291p.

Federal Legislation

The following public laws address education and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including individuals with learning disabilities. Information on additional legislation is found in the Summary of Existing Legislation Affecting People with Disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Washington, DC: 1992. 235p). This source is available from the Clearinghouse on Disability Information, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, Room 3132, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2524.

P.L. 93-112, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and amendments (P.L. 96-506, P.L. 98-221) prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities in the areas of employment, transportation and architecture, employment under federal contracts, programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, and programs or activities conducted by federal agencies. Section 504 of the Act protects qualified persons, including persons with specific learning disabilities, from discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding. Section 504 applies to preschool, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and vocational institutions. The amendments to the Act extend coverage to include the transition of youth with disabilities from school to work and supported employment services for persons with disabilities.

P.L. 94-142, Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

The Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 ensures a free appropriate education for children and youth with disabilities, including special education and related services. The Act protects the rights of children and youth with disabilities and their parents and guardians by protecting due process and fairness in the educational process. The Act also provides that federal funds be used to assist state and local governments with special education. The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1983 (P.L. 98-199) expand the original Act to include preschool, early intervention, and transition programs. The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 (P.L. 99-457) lower the age of eligibility for special education to age three and provide for early intervention services for infants and toddlers before the third birthday.

P.L. 101-336, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects persons with disabilities against discrimination in employment, public accommodation, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA prohibits discrimination in public entities and private entities with programs and activities available to the public, including public and private schools and libraries.

P.L. 101-476, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990 expand existing educational programs and add new ones, including a program for research and information about attention deficit disorder. The Amendments also change the name of the Education of the Handicapped Act to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under the IDEA, services such as counseling, rehabilitation, speech pathology, transportation, and assistive technology become part of the special education program, which is expanded to include children with autism and traumatic brain injury.

An integral part of the IDEA is the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which details the individualized services each child will receive in his/her special education program. The IDEA protects the parents' right to participate in the IEP and decisions about special education.

P.L. 102-103, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act amends the Vocational Education Act of 1984 to require that persons with disabilities have access to vocational education. The amendment extends the 1984 Act by ensuring that special populations, including persons with disabilities, have the academic and occupational skills to compete in a technologically advanced environment.

P.L. 103-218, Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994

The 1988 Act (P.L. 100-407) sets up grant programs to develop assistive technologies and to make the technologies available to persons with disabilities. The reauthorization in 1994 provides funding for state systems of assistive technology programs.

State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

State vocational rehabilitation agencies provide direct services to persons with disabilities, including persons with learning disabilities. The services may include evaluation and diagnosis; counseling, guidance, and referral services; vocational and other training services; transportation to rehabilitation services; and assistive devices.

Compiled by
Gillian Mendle
Reference Section
May 1997

Library of Congress Home       NLS Home       Comments about NLS to nls@loc.gov

About this site       Comments about this site to nlswebmaster@loc.gov

Posted on 2004-10-20