In March of 1963, a conference was held in Chicago entitled
"Exploration into the Problems of the Perceptually Handicapped
Child." It was at this conference, where several parents and
professionals from Indiana, joined with parents and
professionals from six other states to form a core group of
volunteers to develop a grass-roots organization called the
"Association for Children with Learning Disabilities" (ACLD).
The conference provided the framework on which the field of
Learning Disabilities is based, including diagnostic procedures,
educational practices, research and training models and an
legislation outline that would finally bring
about the Federal Law “The Children with Specific Learning
Disabilities Act” of 1969. The newly formed organization located
their headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA and a national movement
was underway. Later the name was changed to
the “Learning Disabilities Association of America.” LDA is the
largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for
individuals with learning disabilities, and is the only national
organization devoted to defining and finding solutions for the
broad spectrum of learning problems. LDA has over 200 state
and local affiliates in 42 states. Membership totals over
15,000, including parents, professionals from many sectors,
and concerned citizens. Visit the National LDA Website
www.LDAAmerica.org
Back in Indiana, our grassroots group was headed by 19 parents
and professionals, based in Fort Wayne. In July of 1969, the
“Indiana Association for Perceptually Handicapped Children”
was incorporated. Local support group chapters formed across
Indiana. You could find one in just about every corner of Indiana
since at that time it was the best means of gaining access to
information and support for parents and teachers.
|
In 1972, Indiana became officially affiliated with the National
ACLD organization, and the state name was changed to the
“Indiana Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
(IACLD)” and, was officially established as a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization.
During the 1970’s, Dr. Robert Reed of Terre Haute, served on
the state board and has the honor of being the first Hoosier to
serve as National President from 1980 to1982. Dr. Reed
provided seed money that established a yearly scholarship
award to help an Indiana high school or college student with
LD, pursue their post-secondary education, the award is a
tradition that continues today. In 1974, we hosted our first
State Conference for parents and teachers. The state
conference continues to be an annual event. One of the
highlights of our Annual Conference is the State Awards
presentations when we honor students with LD/ADHD, who
have struggled to overcome their difficulties and the adults
who have been influential in supporting them at home, at
school and in their communities. By 1989, the growth of the
ACLD had spread across the United States, and the national
name was changed to the "Learning Disabilities Association
of America". So in 1991, Indiana again changed it’s name to
reflect the unity of the national organization, and we have been
known ever since as the “Learning Disabilities Association of
Indiana”.
To this day, we continue to be a unique "Hands-On"
organization made up entirely of volunteer parents, educators,
adults with LD/ADHD, and other individuals who work together
to make a difference in the lives of individuals with Learning
Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders.
|
