About LDA: Learning Disabilities Association of America

In March of 1963, parents of children with learning disabilities representing local support groups from around the country gathered in Chicago for a national conference. These concerned families organized into a national organization which was incorporated in 1964 as the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD). From those beginnings, the Learning Disabilities Association of America has grown to serve tens of thousands of members with learning disabilities, their families and the professionals who work with them. Learn more about the organization's history.

Today, LDA is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities and has over 200 state and local affiliates in 42 states and Puerto Rico. LDA's international membership of over 15,000 includes members from 27 countries around the world.

The membership, composed of individuals with learning disabilities, family members and concerned professionals, advocates for the almost three million students of school age with learning disabilities and for adults affected with learning disabilities.

The state and local affiliates, through their affiliation with the national LDA, work continuously for individuals with learning disabilities, their parents and the professionals who serve them.

LDA's Vision

LDA Visualizes a World in Which:

• All individuals with learning disabilities are empowered to thrive and participate fully in society
• The incidence of learning disabilities is reduced
• And learning disabilities are universally understood and effectively addressed

LDA's Mission:

LDA's mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities and to reduce the incidence of learning disabilities in future generations. LDA accomplishes its goals and objectives through its:

• Services
  An array of specialized services designed to support and promote the success of individuals with learning disabilities across all aspects of life. [More]
• Board of Directors
  The Board of Directors and national committees are composed of individuals with learning disabilities, their parents and concerned professionals. [More]
• Staff
  The organization maintains a staff in its National Office located in Pittsburgh, PA and a Governmental Affairs Office located in Washington, D.C. [More]
• Professional Advisory Board
  The Professional Advisory Board offers counsel in professional and technical areas and is comprised of leading experts in the field of learning disabilities. [More]
• Collaborative Activities
  Many ongoing collaborative activities provide a rich array of efforts that support the organization's work on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities. [More]
• Position Papers
  The organization's Position Papers establish clear positions on critical issues of the day. [More]
• Learning Disabilities Foundation of America
  A tax-exempt public charity established in 1979 that is dedicated to providing funds for research and education and the promotion of public awareness of both children and adults with learning disabilities. [More]