Hammill Institute on Disabilities

1981-1982 Presidential MessageAuthor(s): Carol BradleySource: Learning Disability Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Summer, 1981), pp. 234-237Published by: Sage Publications, Inc.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1510943 .

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1981-1982 PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Carol Bradley

In the Summer, 1980, issue of the Learning Disability Quarterly, J. Lee Wiederholt's presidential message contained a review of the issues, directions, and accomplishments of the Division for Children with Learning Disabilities under Presidents Stephen Larsen, Judith Wilson, and Gerald Wallace. The directions established, the leadership provided, and the steps toward meeting those needs have been remarkable.

Lee Wiederholt's message also described the likely impact on DCLD of CEC's unified membership policy and efforts by the DCLD Board to keep the membership informed on the matter. He further noted that the International Board of Trustees was committed to maintain- ing the current high level of services to its membership, modifying fiscal operations, seeking a name change, and bringing the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws into conformance.

Under Lee Wiederholt's excellent leadership as President of DCLD, these tasks have all been accomplished. The Learning Disability Quarterly is not only appreciated and applauded by the membership but is being recognized as a premier journal in the field by individuals who do not belong to our organization and by agencies, institutions, and libraries that are subscrib- ing at an ever increasing rate. The Newsletter continues to serve as the major communication vehicle with all our membership on organizational matters. The Second Annual International Conference on Learning Disabilities held in Denver during the fall was of the highest quality. The Ad Hoc Committee appointed to study current fiscal operations and to make recommen- dations to the Board of Trustees regarding fiscal procedures has completed its extensive task. Two State and Province Leadership Assemblies were held during the year at which the elected leadership of the State and Province DCLD Chapters provided input to the Board of Trustees on a number of issues facing the field and the organization. An Ad Hoc Committee was ap- pointed to study our nominations and elections procedures. It has been charged with a) study- ing how CEC, other divisions within CEC, and other organizations manage their nominations and elections, b) investigating the costs associated with various procedures, and c) submitting a report of the findings and recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Council for Learning Disabilities

This represents the first printed presidential message of the Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD). At the spring business meeting in New York, President Wiederholt announced that the name of our organization had been officially changed from the Division for Children with Learning Disabilities (DCLD) to Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) through a mail ballot vote of its membership. The decision by the Board of Trustees to place this item before the membership was the result of a special business meeting held at the Second Annual Interna- tional Conference on Learning Disabilities in Denver to discuss this matter. The special meeting was precipitated by the suggestions of many of the membership who work with learning dis- abled adolescents and adults to drop the word "children" from the name of our organization. The name change does not change our division status within the Council for Exceptional Children. Dues Increase

At the spring business meeting the members present also voted to increase our annual dues

CAROL BRADLEY is the fourteenth president of the Council for Learning Disabilities, former- ly Division for Children with Learning Disabilities.

234 Learning Disability Quarterly

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from eight to fifteen dollars. The motion to increase dues resulted from the State and Province Leadership Assembly at which those present encouraged the Board of'Trustees to provide flow-through money to State and Province Chapters and hence support a dues increase to make it possible. (See Fall Newsletter for additional information about this as well as the budget for 81-82.)

While the name change to Council for Learning Disabilities was primarily motivated by a desire to express our commitment to learning disabled individuals of all ages, it also symbolizes the change in attitude and direction our organization has undergone in the past few years and which we must continue to follow in the future. The word "council" suggests an assertive organization with a sense of identity, purpose, and commitment - characteristics not well ex- pressed by the term "division."

The name change also comes at a time that is politically, economically, and socially different from what we have known and enjoyed in the past. If ever there was a time when the field of learning disabilities needed a strong professional organization, it is now. At the time of this writing, it seems likely that Part B of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act will be reduced from the Carter-budgeted figure of $922 million to $874.5 million, and that funding in Part D for Personnel Preparation will be reduced from $58 million to $43.5 million for the 1981-82 year. Cuts are also likely in all other federally funded programs for the handicapped and disadvantaged, for vocational education, child nutrition, etc.

We are told that almost a dozen versions of education consolidation bills are before Con- gress. They range from block grant proposals that would allow local districts to spend the money on any one of the included programs to proposals that would only consolidate various programs currently serving the handicapped. Speculations on the future of Public Law 94-142 range from deregulation to total recision. Many also fear that the learning disabled will not be viewed as "severely handicapped" and, consequently, not in need of the "safety net for the truly needy."

At the state and local levels the economic picture is not much brighter. With the exception of a few regions, most school districts and intermediate units are facing reduced budget capacity either in real dollars available or as a result of inflation, or a combination of both. State and local budgets are not likely to be able to absorb the federal funding cuts sufficiently to continue the present level of service. Witness to this is widespread layoff of personnel who have previously been supported by funds available under PL 94-142. For example, many education agencies in Iowa have given termination notices to 25 percent of staff funded under PL 94-142; 25 percent is the figure most quoted as the potential cutback in federal funds for the 81-82 year.

In a letter dated April 22, 1981 to members of Congress and the Administration, President Wiederholt stated,

"Specifically, the Board of Trustees, the State Chapter Officers, and the general membership of the Council for Learning Disabilities have gone on record as:

1. Opposing any recision of funds attached to Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and other federal pro- grams which support the education of the handicapped.

2. Opposing the Administration's Block Grant funding for education, but supporting consolidation of various federal programs for the education of the handicapped.

3. Supporting the careful examination of all regulations regarding Public Law 94-142 and Section 504 with the goal being a more efficient and effective delivery of services."

Many of our membership have also expressed concern that if PL 94-142 or Section 504 were rescinded, state legislative bodies may follow suit rather than being burdened with the en- tire costs of guaranteeing and providing a free appropriate education for the handicapped.

Volume 4, Summer 1981 235

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Goals for 81-82 According to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, CLD's goals are to improve teacher

education and local special education programs, to resolve important research issues, and to establish liaison with other professional groups and CEC divisions.

Now is not a time to retreat from these goals. During the spring business meeting in New York, the plan and budget for 1981-82 were presented and approved. In many ways, they represent a maintenance plan and an austerity budget due to uncertainties facing us as an

organization and as a field. Several budget line items have been reduced in order to preserve the services deemed most essential to the stated goals of our organization.

The major objectives for this year are to: 1. Publish the Learning Disability Quarterly at its current high quality, 2. Sponsor a Third International Conference, 3. Increase support to and involvement with State and Province CLD

Chapters, 4. Continue liaison efforts with other organizations and divisions within

CEC that have an interest in promoting the education and general welfare of the learning disabled,

5. Work with CEC to preserve the right to a free appropriate education for all handicapped, and

6. Maintain membership at its current level and secure our organizational status.

The Learning Disability Quarterly will continue to be published at its current high quality. No budget cuts have been made in support of its development or publication.

The Third Annual International Conference on Learning Disabilities has been scheduled for October 8-10, 1981 at the Hyatt Regency in Houston, Texas. The theme will be Critical Issues in Learning Disabilities. Conference presentations are designed to appeal to all professionals interested in the field of learning disabilities. Sessions are planned specifically for teachers, school administrators, state consultants, diagnosticians, university personnel, and others with many of the sessions being sponsored by State and Province CLD Chapters. Some of the topics include academic areas (e.g., reading, mathematics, written expression), early childhood (including high-risk infant assessment), vocational education, various aspects of assessment, severe LD, bilingualism and LD, the roles of teacher unions, social perceptions of LD students, peer tutoring, preparation of student teachers, parenting, and how to conduct in- service programs for regular educators. (See page 328 for registration information.)

The State and Province Leadership Assembly will meet prior to the fall conference and the spring convention. A major focus of the Leadership Assemblies will be on criteria and pro- cedures for determining eligibility of learning disabled students for special education programs.

Liaison efforts through the Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities will continue with a primary focus on definition issues. We will work with CEC, State and Province Chapters, and other organizations to actively defend the right of the learning disabled to special education and to secure an adequate financial base to support direct services and the preparation of compe- tent personnel.

Our capacity to meet the above goals and objectives is dependent on maintaining an active, committed membership. We do not yet know the effect of CEC's dues increase from twenty- five to forty dollars. Some people may drop their CEC membership as a result; others may drop only division memberships or multiple division memberships. The effect of CLD's dues in- crease from eight to fifteen dollars is also an unknown. However, we do know that it takes money to finance the activities stated earlier and that bills must be paid. Due to CEC's unified membership policy, a person does not have the option to join only a division. As past Presi- dent, Lee Wiederholt has been asked to continue investigating with CEC the risks, possibilities, and costs associated with varying forms of membership and organizational status.

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Finally, an organization cannot have a sense of identity, purpose, and commitment unless its members do. If you are currently a member of the Council for Learning Disabilities, retain your membership, and become active at the local and State or Province levels. If your State or Pro- vince does not have a chapter, help organize or reactivate one. If you are not a member of CLD and work with the learning disabled or prepare personnel who do, join CLD. By voicing your professional opinion through CLD membership you can influence its direction and hereby the field of learning disabilities as a whole.

Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Carol Bradley, Div. of Special Education, Iowa Dept. of Public Instruction, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319.

"YAHOO!! YORE IN TEXAS NOW!"

'

SOCIAL EVENT

Houston

Entertainment by Leon "Pappy" Selph &

The Wandering Minstrels Cloggin' by The Texas Cloggers

Hey, Pard! Mosey on by the Hyatt-Regency Hotel Thursday, October 8, 1981

Buffet: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Tex Me.x

Buffet Finger Lickin' Food

Real Chuck Wagon Vittles

Social: 8:30 - 11:30 p.m.

,Cloggin' & Kicker Dancin' We'll teach you "how to",

Pardner! Mavericks welcome!

Round up a ticket for just $15 (includes chompin' and stompin' too!)

REGISTER NOW! See Page 328

Volume 4, Summer 1981 237

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