LD Advocates Guide

LD Advocates Guide This guide made possible by a grant from the Oak Foundation July 2012

Table of Contents

A Message from NCLD 3

Getting Started 4

Talking about LD 6

Working with Policymakers 10

Working with the Media 14

Glossary of Terms 19

Additional Resources 23

Appendices 25

National Center for Learning Disabilities Inc381 Park Avenue SouthSuite 1401New York NY 10016212-545-7510wwwLDorgwwwgetreadytoreadorgwwwRTInetworkorg

Public Policy Office1101 Vermont Avenue NW 400Washington DC 20005-3521703-476-4894wwwLDorg

The National Center for Learning Disabilitiesrsquo (NCLD) mission is to ensure success for all individuals with learning disabilities in school at work and in life Webull Connectparentsandotherswithresourcesguidanceandsupportsotheycanadvocate

effectively for their childrenbull Deliverevidence-basedtoolsresourcesandprofessionaldevelopmenttoeducatorstoimprovestudentoutcomes

bull Developpoliciesandengageadvocatestostrengtheneducationalrightsandopportunities

A Message from NCLD

Dear Fellow Advocates

WelcomeThefactthatyouareconnectingwithusheretellsmethatyouwanttotakeactioninsupportofindividuals with learning disabilities (LD) mdash and that you want to learn about ways to do so effectively Wersquore delighted to have you onboard and work with us

Nowmorethaneveritrsquosimperativethatparentsrsquovoicesareraisedandheardmdashthereissomuchatstake It all begins with advocacy to

bull Ensurethatallchildrenhavetheopportunitytoachievetheirpotentialbull IncreasethenumberofteachersandschoolleaderswhounderstandandarepreparedtoprovidetheinstructionalsupportandaccommodationsthatstudentswithLDmayrequire

bull IncreaseawarenessoftherealitiesandthechallengesofthosefacedwithLDandbull Buildthepublicwilltoinvestthetimeandmoneynecessarytomakesureallchildrenandadultsreceivetheeducationalandlifelongopportunitiestheydeserveandtowhichtheyareentitled

TohelpfurthertheseadvocacyeffortsNCLDhasdevelopedthisLDAdvocatesGuidetoexplainhowtoengagepolicymakersandthemediaonissuesaffectingfamiliesandindividualswithLD

Since1990NCLDhasmobilizedtensofthousandsofparentsteachersandindividualswithLDtospeakinapowerfulvoiceinWashingtonDCWiththissupportweareactivelyinvolvedinstrengtheningtheindividual rights of those with LD

TheeducationalopportunitiesandrightsthatachildwithlearningdisabilitiesenjoyshaveprimarilybeenshapedbyFederalpoliciesandlawssuchasthelandmarkIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)theElementaryandSecondaryEducationAct(ESEA)Section504oftheRehabilitationActof1973andtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(asamendedin2008)NCLDworkstoimprovetheseFederal laws with the overarching goal to ensure that all students with LD have the same access and necessarysupporttoachieveahighschooldiplomaandbepreparedtosuccessfullytransitiontopost-secondary education or career training

WepromoteaccountabilityforeducationaloutcomesforallstudentsearlieridentificationofLDmoreeffectiveearlyinterventionprogramsbetterteacherpreparationandincreasededucationfundingWithmoredecisionsforstudentachievementshiftingtothestatesourchildrenneedustostandupandspeakoutforthemWemustworktogethertoensurethathard-wonaccesstoeffectiveinstructionappropriateassessmentsupportservicesandaccesstoaccommodationsarenotlost

AgainwelcomeandmysincerethanksforjoiningwithNCLDinthisimportantwork

Sincerely

James H WendorfExecutiveDirectorNational Center for Learning DisabilitiesNew York New York

LD Advocate wwwLDadvocateorg LD Advocates Guide 4

Getting Started

Do learning disabilities (LD) affect your life Whether you areaparentofachildwithLDanadultwithLDaneducatororanLDprofessionaltherersquosaplaceforyouintheworldofLDadvocacyTherearemanyaspectstoadvocacywhichyoucan learn about in this guide but all are intended to ensure that lawmakersandthegeneralpublicrespectandprotecttherightsof individuals with LD

AdvocacycanbehardworkfunexhilaratingandsometimesfrustratingbutitisessentialtoimprovingthelivesofpeoplewithLDSoletrsquosgetstarted

BeinganadvocatedoesnotmeanyouhavetoquityourjobwritebigcheckstopoliticiansorrushtoWashingtonDCIt also doesnrsquot mean you have to know everything there is to know about learning disabilities or every law ever written onthesubject

BeinganadvocatedoesrequirethatyouuseyourvoicetomakeadifferenceforchildrenandadultswithLDYouhaveanimportantstorytotellandexperiencestoshare

Under both education and civil rights law individuals with learning disabilities are entitled to rights and services It seemssimplebutasyouknowitiscomplexandoftenpeoplewithotheragendasarepushinglawmakerstomakedecisionsthatmaynottakepeoplewithLDintoproperconsiderationThatrsquoswhereyoucomeinYourvoiceiscritical mdashitrsquosthefoundationofdemocracyYoucan(andshould)tellyourelectedofficialshowtovoteforlawsbudgetsandpoliciesthatwork

BecominganLDadvocateisnotanewjoboraspecialtitlesavedforthechosenfewbutratheramindsetIfyouwanttheproblemsinyourschooldistrictstateoratthefederalleveltobefixedoratleastimprovedyoursquoregoingtohavetogetinvolvedParentshavebeensteppingintothisroleforyearsandyoucanmakeadifferencemdashnotonlyforyourchild mdash but for all children with LD

Evenifyouonlyhavefiveminutesperweektosparethesetipswillgetyoustartedontheroadtoeffectiveadvocacy

1 Become familiar with the state and federal laws that pertain to learning disabilities There is no need to go to law school because this information is available on wwwLDorgthroughyourstateofficeofeducationand your statersquos Parent Training and Information Center A directory of centers by state is available at wwwparentcenternetworkorg To get started also check the ldquoTalking about LDrdquo section of this guide

2 Get on the mailing lists of advocacy organizations NCLDrsquos own Legislative Action Center is a great way to becomefamiliarwithwhatrsquoshappeninginWashingtonDCrelatedtolearningdisabilitiesSignupatwwwLDorg

3 Call your legislators PoliticiansarepeoplewiththeirownexperiencesIfLDisnotapartoftheirlives theycanrsquotpossiblyunderstandtheimplicationsoftheirvotesthewayyoudoYourlocalstateandfederal legislatorsarelistedinthebluesectionofyourphonebookcanbefoundinaquickInternetsearchorat wwwcontactingthecongressorgTheywanttohearfromyoutheyhaveastaffforjustthatpurposeAndifthereis a bill you are interested in discussing theyrsquod rather receive your call before a big vote than get an angry call afterwardsMoretipsonworkingwithpolicymakersarepresentedlaterinthisguide

4 Write a letter or an email to a policymaker YourelectedofficialswelcomehearingfromyouTellthemhowaparticularpieceoflegislationwillaffectyouandotherswhoareaffectedbyLDFirsthandandpersonalstoriesfromtheirconstituentsarealwayshelpfultopolicymakersInreturnyoucanusuallyexpecttogetareplyexplainingtheissue more fully and what they intend to do about it

5 Talk about what you know Tell your story talk about your LD concerns and offer ideas about what can be done aboutthemPoliticianswanttobeaskedtodosomethingsoseizethemomentandaskthemtobeproactiveontheissues that matter to you

6 Go public CallaradiostationblogonissuesyoucareaboutorwritealettertotheeditorofyourlocalnewspaperExplainwhydisabilitylegislationisanimportantissueandhowthingscanbechangedforthebetterEmailyourfriendsscheduleameetuporothermeetingtodiscussLDpoliciesAsanadvocateyoudonrsquothavetogoitaloneTothecontraryyoushouldtrytogetasmanypeopleexcitedandactiveaboutlearningdisabilitiesaspossible

7 Vote ItseemsbasicbutitisvitalthatyouexercisethisrightYoucanevengoonestepfurtherbyhelpingcandidateswhosupportlearningdisabilitiesissueswiththeircampaignsTheknowledgeyouhavecanhelpacandidateclarifyhisorherpositiononanissuethatisimportanttosomanypeople

Talking about LDThefirststeptobeinganeffectiveLDadvocateisunderstandingtheissueandhowtotalkaboutitYourpersonalexperiencesmaybemotivatingyoubutitisimportanttoeducateyourselfaboutthefactsandfiguresandbroadenyourunderstandingofLDbeyondwhatyoursquovelearnedthroughthoseexperiencesKnowingsomeofthe ldquohot buttonrdquo issues and how to deal with them is essential be-causeitconveysasenseofcredibilityandaddstoyourauthorityasaspokespersonforthecauseRegardlessofwhethertheseissuesareofinteresttoyouoneormoreislikelytocomeupindiscussionswithpolicymakersandthemedia

TherecontinuestobesubstantialmisconceptionsaboutlearningdisabilitiesandhowtobestsupportchildrenwhostruggletolearnLearninghowtoframemessagessothattheyhavethegreatestimpactshouldbeyourpriorityWhyBecauseunderstandingwhatyouaretalkingaboutandchoosingtherightwordscanhaveamajorimpactonyourworkMisconceptionscannotsimplybeoverturnedbyconfrontingthemwithstatisticsnomatterhowpowerfulthosestatisticsmaybeBothpolicymakersandthegeneralpublichavepreconceivedideasaboutwhatlearningdisabilitiesareanditisyourjobtospeakclearlyandeffectivelytothoseconcernswhilepersuasivelyexplainingthatitisineveryonersquosbestinteresttorespectandsupporttherightsofindividualswithLDsotheycanbecomesuccessfuladults

Describing Learning DisabilitiesFormanypeopleitisdifficulttounderstandthesecommonplacebuthiddendisabilitiesThisismademoredifficultbymisinformationandthedeliberatedistortionsofthosewhoclaimthatlearningdisabilitiesareanexcuseforpooracademicperformanceThetermldquolearningdisabilitiesrdquoisfrequentlyusedasanumbrellatermforalltypesofdisabilitieswhichonlyservestofurtherconfusethepublicandperpetuatemisunderstanding

ClearconsistentandconciselanguageshouldbeusedtodescribeLDWhenworkingwithpolicymakersusingalternativephrasesthatexcludethewordldquodisabilityrdquosuchasldquolearningdisorderrdquoorldquolearningdifferencerdquodoeslittle

tochangetheperceptionsIfanythingalternativedescriptionslikeldquolearningdifficultiesrdquoorldquolearningdifferencesrdquo can soften the intensity of concern and make theissueseeminsignificant

Becausethetermldquospecificlearningdisabilityrdquoisusedinthefederallawthatprovidesspecialeducationservices(IndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct)advocatesshould use this term in their communications with policymakersandthemedia

ThedefinitionofldquospecificlearningdisabilityrdquointheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)isasfollows

For our family advocacy means sharing our personal experiences to educate and encourage other families teachers administrators care providers etc Sharing our stories has resulted in opportunities to provide assistance and

to participate in meaningful dialogue that leads to positive partnerships

Advocacy takes many forms but remember that sharing your own experiences and the facts about LD can change lives As Khalil Gibran once said ldquoA little bit of knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle rdquo

Esther Falcetta parent advocate Pennsylvania

bull Thetermlsquospecificlearningdisabilityrsquomeansadisor-derinoneormoreofthebasicpsychologicalprocess-es involved in understanding or in using language spokenorwrittenwhichdisordermaymanifestitselfinimperfectabilitytolistenthinkspeakreadwritespellordomathematicalcalculations

bullThetermincludessuchconditionsasperceptualdisabilitiesbraininjuryminimalbraindysfunctiondyslexiaanddevelopmentalaphasiaduetoLD

bullThetermdoesnotincludealearningproblemthatisprimarilytheresultofvisualhearingormotordisabilitiesof intellectual disabilities[formerly known as mental retardation] of emotional disturbance or of environmental cultural or economic disadvantage [34 CFR 3008(c)(10)]

Important points to remember when describing LDbullLearningdisabilitiesarerealScientistshaveproventheneurologicalbasisofLDthroughtheuseofbrainscansandothertechniquesTherealsoisproofthatlearningdisabilitiescanbegenetic

bullLearningdisabilitiesoccuroftenMostscientificexpertsagree(andschooldataconfirm)thatatleastfivepercent mdashandlikelymoremdashofourschool-agechildrenhavesevereproblemswithlearning

bullLearningdisabilitiesarenotthesameasautismintellectualdisabilities(previouslyknownasmentalretardation)orAttentionDeficitHyperactivityDisorderPeoplewithLDhaveaveragetoaboveaverageintelligencewhichisnotthecaseforpeoplewithintellectualdisabilitiesAndwhilethereareasignificantnumberofpeoplewithLDwhoalso have ADHD ADHD is not a learning disability (If ADHD and LD are confused during your conversations it canoftenhelptodistinguishbetweenthembystatingthatADHDisadisorderthatcausesinappropriateimpulsivityattentionandinsomecaseshyperactivityandcanoftenbetreatedwithmedicationLDisaneurologicaldisorderthataffectsthebrainrsquosabilitytoreceiveprocessstoreandrespondtoinformationandcannotbetreatedwithmedication)

bullLearningdisabilitiesarelifelongManychildrencanbetaughttocompensateforthemwithearlydiagnosisandappropriateinstruction

Legal ProtectionsPeoplewithlearningdisabilitieshavelegalprotectionsavailabletothemthroughseveralfederallawsBeingfamiliarwith these laws is essential to your success as an advocate

bullIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA2004) TheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA2004)isthefederallawthatprovidesforspecialeducationandrelatedservicesforeligiblechildrenagesthreethrough21withdisabilitiesIDEAensuresthatafreeandappropriatepubliceducation(FAPE)basedontheindividualneedsofstudentswithdisabilitiesisavailableThelawalsoguaranteesrightsforchildrenwithdisabilitiesandtheirparentsMoreinformationonIDEAisavailableintheAppendicesofthispublication

bullSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section504oftheRehabilitationActof1973isacivilrightslawthatprohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofdisabilityinprogramsandactivitiespublicorprivatethatreceivefederalfinancialassistanceThelawdoesnotprovidefundingforspecialeducationorrelatedservicesbutitdoespermitthefederalgovernmenttotakefundingawayfromprogramsthatdonotcomplywiththelawMoreinformationonSection504isavailableintheAppendicesofthispublication

bullAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 is a civil rightslawthatprotectsindividualswithdisabilitiesfromdiscriminationintheworkplaceaswellasschoolandothersettingsADAdoesnotprovidefundingforservicesoraccommodationsMoreinformationontheADAisavailableintheAppendicesofthispublication

NoteFormoreinformationontheselawsandtherightsofindividualswithLDpleasevisitwwwldorgforparentguides articles toolkits and other resources

Prevalence of LDTheprevalenceoflearningdisabilitiesisfrequentlyaddressedbythemediaandisoftenbroughtupindiscussionswithpolicymakersmdashsoitrsquosimportanttoknowthefactsonthisissueWhilethereisnotasure-firewaytocapturetheexactdata regarding the total number of Americans who have learning disabilities it is conservatively estimated that 3 - 5 ofthegeneralpopulationareaffected

FortunatelythereisreliabledataonthenumberofchildrenservedintheLDcategoryunderIDEAwhichisoftenthegroupsingledoutfordiscussionWhiletherehasbeensubstantialgrowthintheLDcategoryduringthe30yearssinceenactmentofIDEAthenumberofstudentsintheLDcategoryhasincreasedlessthanthetotalnumberofallstudentsservedunderIDEAfor15consecutiveyearsInfacttherehasbeenadeclineinthenumberofstudentsidentifiedashaving LD in each of the years between 2000 and 2010

Some important numbers

bull2415564students(ages6-21)arebeingservedintheLDcategoryofIDEAtodayaccordingtothemostrecentdataavailableThisis414ofthetotalnumberofstudentsservedunderIDEAand35oftheUSresidentpopulationofstudentsinthatagegroup

bull Whilethenumberofschool-agechildrenidentifiedwithLDgrewrapidlyduringthelate1980sand1990sthenumberofchildrenidentifiedwithLDhasdeclinedby19overthelastdecade(2001-2010)In2001studentsintheLDcategoryrepresented49ofallspecialeducationstudentswhilein2010thecategoryrepresented41

bullMalescomprisealmosttwo-thirdsofschool-agestudentswithLDwhoreceivespecialeducationservices

bullThepercentageofstudentsservedintheLDcategoryvariessignificantlyfromstatetostateTolearnaboutthespecificsforyourstateseeTheStateofLearningDisabilitiesatwwwLDorgstateofld

Over-IdentificationWithlessthan4oftheschool-agepopulationcurrentlyreceivingspecialeducationservicesintheLDcategorythereappearstobelittleevidencesupportingthepersistentclaimthatstudentsareover-identifiedasLDInfactCongressionaltestimonybyDrGReidLyonformerChiefoftheChildDevelopmentandBehaviorBranchoftheNationalInstituteofChildHealthandHumanDevelopmentattheNationalInstitutesofHealthindicatedthatapproximately6percentofschool-agechildrenwillexperiencelearningdifficultyparticularlyintheareaofreadingevenwhenprovidedwithearlyandintensiveinterventionsItisthesechildrenwhoshouldbeservedbyspecialeducation as students with LD

AnotherfrequentissueraisedbybothmediaandpolicymakersisthatofoverrepresentationofminoritypopulationsinspecialeducationWhilethereisreasonforconcernaboutover-identificationofminoritiesthedisabilitycategoriesandraceethnicgroupsofgreatestconcernarethoseofemotionaldisturbanceandintellectualdisability(previouslymentalretardation)asitrelatestoBlackandHispanicstudents

AswiththeoverallrateofidentificationofstudentsasLDthedisproportionalityofraceethnicgroupsvariesamongthestatesThedeterminationofdisproportionalityisgenerallymadebycomparingtheraceethnicdistributionofstudentsservedwithineachdisabilitycategoryofIDEAwiththedistributionofthosegroupswithintheresidentpopulationforastateorschooldistrictAdditionalinformationondisproportionalitybyraceanddisabilityisavailablefromyourstatersquosdepartmentofeducation

Cost of Special EducationThecostofdeliveringspecialeducationservicestostudentswithdisabilitiesisafrequentareaofinterestforthemediaandpolicymakersalikeFederally-fundedstudieshavehelpedidentifythetruecostsassociatedwithIDEAservicesmostnotablytheSpecialEducationExpendituresProject(SEEP)(httpcsefairorg)

Report5oftheSEEPfoundthatperpupilexpendituresforstudentsinspecialeducationrangedfromalowof $10558forstudentswithlearningdisabilitiestoahighof$20095forstudentswithmultipledisabilitiesinthe1999-2000schoolyearTheaverageperpupilexpenditureforatypicalregulareducationstudentwhoreceivesnospecialeducationserviceswas$6556ThereforetheaverageexpenditureforstudentswithLDis16timestheexpenditurefora regular education student

TheseexpendituresincludedspendingonallregularandspecialeducationservicesusedtoeducatestudentswithLDThemajorityofstudentswithLDspendmorethan80percentoftheirinstructionaltimeingeneraleducation

Outcomes and ExpectationsThedifficultiesfacedbypeoplewithLDcanoftenbebestcommunicatedbyprovidingdataontheoutcomesbeingexperiencedbythoseservedbyspecialeducationWhilethereisfrequentreportingontheremarkableachievementsofafewnotableswithLDingeneralpeoplewithLDareexperiencingpooroutcomesinimportantareassuchashighschoolgraduationpostsecondaryeducationandaverageearningsOveralllearningdisabilitiescompromiseabilitiesandaspirationsandcanleadtoproblemssuchasunemploymentunderemploymentsubstanceabuseandpoormentalhealth

Graduation GraduationfromhighschoolwithastandarddiplomaforstudentswithLDcoveredunderIDEAin2009-2010was67Thiswasupfrom54adecadeearlier(2000-2001)

Dropout ThedropoutrateforstudentswithLDwas20inthe2009-2010schoolyearversus39in2000-2001Dropoutratesvarygreatlybyracialethnicgroupsforbothgeneralandspecialeducationpopulation

Postsecondary Education Amonghighschoolgraduateswhohadenrolledinpostsecondaryeducationwithin8yearsofleavinghighschooljust21hadenrolledina4-yearcollegeFiftypercenthadenrolledina2-yearorcommunitycollege and 36 had enrolled in a vocational business or training school

Parental Expectations Basedona2001survey59ofparentsexpecttheirstudentwithLDtograduatefromhighschoolwithastandarddiplomaRegardingpostsecondaryeducation14ofparentsexpecttheirstudentswithLDtograduatefromatwo-yearcollegewhilejust10expectgraduationfromafour-yearcollegeAmajorityofparentsmdash64mdashreportedthattheyexpecttheirstudentswithLDdefinitelyorprobablywonrsquotgraduatefroma4-yearcollege

Moreinformationonthesecondaryschoolandpost-highschoolexperiencesofstudentswithLDisavailableat wwwNLTS2org

Cost of Procedural Safeguards in Special EducationTherearemanyreportsaboutthehighcostoflitigationinspecialeducationhoweverthisisdifficulttosubstantiateRecentstudiesofdueprocesshearingssuchasthoseconductedbytheProjectForumattheNationalAssociationofStateDirectorsofSpecialEducationindicatethatthenumberofdueprocesshearingsheldintheUSisdecliningMuchofthiscanbeattributedtotherequirementthatallstatesmakemediationandotherdisputeresolutionstrategiesavailabletoschoolsandparentsinconflict

AreportbytheSpecialEducationExpenditureProject(Report4)indicatedthattotalexpendituresonspecialeducationmediationdueprocessandlitigationduringthe1999-2000schoolyearwasapproximately$1465millionforallK-12specialeducationstudentsinpublicschools(62millionstudents)Thisbreaksdowntoanexpenditureofapproximately$24perspecialeducationpupilandaccountsforonly3oftotalspecialeducationexpenditures

Working with Policymakers

Irsquove found that in order to implement effective policy our public officials must understand the priorities and challenges of individuals with learning disabilities They need to hear how our children are doing As Irsquove met

and talked with my representatives Irsquove always found someone sympathetic to my concerns mdash sometimes itrsquos a staff person or the Representative himherself Irsquove seen extraordinary partnerships with policymakers lead to improving outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities

Please remember that when you advocate

bull Itrsquosforthekids

bull Asparentswecanmakeadifference

bull ItrsquosnicetotraveltotheCapitolwithafriend

Bette Erickson parent advocate Minnesota

AllpoliticsarelocalmdasheverypieceoflegislationthatexistshaslocalimplicationsandisalsobasedonlocalneedsItseemsobviousbutitrsquosimportanttorememberItmeansthatlawsexistbecausepeoplelikeyouworkedtomakethemhappenMostofourcurrentlawsthatassistandprotectpeoplewithLDcamefromthegrassrootseffortsofadvocateslikeyouBoththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)andtheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)cametobebecauseadvocates(notSenatorsorhighlypaidlobbyists)tookactionandeducatedpolicymakersastowhytheselawsneededtoexist

YoutoocanmakelawshappenHowByunderstandinghowgovernmentworksandhowyoucanmosteffectivelygetinvolvedTherearelotsofdifferentwaystogettopolicymakersandcommunicateyourthoughtsonanissuebutbeforeyoupickupyourpenoryourphoneyouneedtokeepseveralthingsinmindinordertobemosteffective

Before you approach policymakers1 Familiarize yourself with what your elected officials have to say mdash both in the policies they support

and in the mediaKeeptrackofwhereyourlocalofficialsstandonlearningdisabilitieseducationandspecialeducationissuesStartingwiththelegislatorswhorepresentyoudirectly(yourSenatorsandCongressperson)isimportantbecausetheyaretheoneswithwhomyouwillhavethemostinfluenceYouareoneoftheirconstituentsYoucancontacttheirofficestoaskabouttheirparticipationonCongressionalcommitteesrequestaposition

statementorseeiftheyhavesponsoredlegislationimportanttopeoplewithLD

IfneitheryourSenatorsnorHouseRepresentativesitonthecommitteeswithjurisdictionovereducationandspecialeducationlawsthenlearnabout the legislators who do When you are readytogetintouchwithpolicymakersitwillbe useful to communicate with both your own representativesaswellasthosewhoareinthemoreinfluentialpositionsonLDissues

2 Become familiar with all the existing laws as well as bills that are pending that affect individuals with disabilities KnowtheirnamesandbillnumbersmdashitisimportanttobeabletorefertotheseexistinganddraftlawswhenyouarecommunicatingwithyourrepresentativesOurlegislatorscanrsquotbeexpertsoneveryissuesoitrsquosuptoyoutohelpthemunderstandintricateissuessuchasthelawsimpactingpeoplewithLDThisisnrsquot as daunting as it sounds NCLD and other organizationskeeptrackoftheselawsandevensend out email alerts to notify advocates about legislativenewsGotowwwLDorg to get the basicsandsignupforemailalertsaboutwaystoaddyourvoiceonimportantdecisionsonCapitolHill

3 Clarify your focus WhatexactlyareyoutryingtoaccomplishBeingasspecificaspossibleabouttheissueyouarepresentingtoapolicymakeriskeytobeingeffectiveldquoGettingchildrenwithlearningdisabilitiesadecenteducationrdquoistoobroadldquoWorkingtogetIDEAreauthorizedandchangethelanguageinthelawtomakeitpossibleforchildrenwithlearningdisabilitiestobeidentifiedearlyandonapathtograduationwitharegulardiplomardquoarespecificgoalstobringtolegislators

4 Stay open-minded and respectful YouwillencounterpolicymakerswhodonrsquotagreewithwhatyouaretryingtoaccomplishtheymayhaveagendasthatcompletelyopposeyoursDonrsquotdismissthemUnderstandingopposingpointsofviewwillhelpyoucraftastrongpositionthattakesdiverseinterestsintoaccountAlsodonrsquotbehostiletowardsthemRemainingrespectfulcalmandpersonableevenwiththosewhoseviewsmightoffendyouisthekey to being an effective advocate

5 Be prepared to ldquodouble deckrdquoIfyouwanttobesurethatyouarereachingpolicymakersandhavinganimpactontheirpolicydecisionsyouaregoingtohavetousemanyoftheavailablemethodstocommunicateyourmessageJustsendinganemailisnrsquotenoughThesedaysinordertobeheardyouwillmostlikelyhavetopickupthephonesendafaxsendanemailandevenstopbytheofficeifyoucanMakeitimpossibleforthepeopleyouaretryingtoreach to ignore you

Who to ApproachConstituentshavethegreatestchanceofbeingheardbytheirlegislativerepresentativesOnthefederallevelCongressconsistsoftheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesEverystatehastwoSenatorsandatleastoneRepresentative(approximatelyoneRepresentativeforevery650000people)EachmemberofCongresshasalargestaffdedicatedtofindingoutwherevotersstandonimportantissuesOnthestatelevelthereisalsoaSenateandaHouseofRepresentativesLocallycountyandcitycouncilsrepresenttheircitizensandinsomestatestherearealsoregionallegislatures

EveryoneintheUnitesStatesisrepresentedbytwoUSSenatorsoneUSRepresentativeoneStateSenatoroneormoreStateRepresentatives(exceptforthosewhoresideintheDistrictofColumbia)aswellascountyandcitycouncilmembersYouelectthesepeoplesotheyareallveryinterestedinwhatyouhavetosay

When to Approach PolicymakersItrsquosnevertooearlytobeginestablishingrelationshipswithyourRepresentativesPolicymakersarepeoplelikeyoumdash theydonrsquotlikebeingapproachedonlywhenyouwantsomethingIfthereisabillupforconsiderationoravoteabouttotakeplacetheyhavealreadybeenworkingontheissueforsometimeTobeaneffectiveadvocateyoushouldcultivatearelationshipwithyourrepresentativesovertimesotheyknowtoturntoyouwhentheyneedguidanceonthetopicsyouknowandcareaboutAndtheywillturntoyouMakeityourbusinesstoestablishyourselfasanLDexpertintheeyesofyourelectedofficialsandtheirstaffmembersKeepinregularcontactwiththemmdashviaaletteroremailupdatingthemonlearningdisabilitiesissueseverymonthorsoregularphonecallsavisitnowandthenOvertimetheywillcometoknowandtrustyouasasourceofinformationtheycancountonIttakespersistencebutRepresentativeshavetomakedecisionswithorwithoutyouYourinputcanhelpthemmakegooddecisionsforpeoplewith LD

Writing Letters and EmailsPolicymakerspayattentiontolettersSinceSeptember112001regularmailcantakeupto30daystoreachalegislatorbecauseoftheinspectionprocessButifyouusemorethanonemethodofdelivery(regularmailfaxand email) your message will get through If you want to be sure your message lands in the right hands call your RepresentativersquosofficeandaskhowtheyprefertogetconstituentfeedbackPersonallettersandemailsfromconstituents are always the most effective and it doesnrsquot take hundreds of them to get a legislator to take notice Here areafewthingstokeepinmindwhenyouwrite

bullPersonalize your message Masscomputer-generatedmessagingiscommonthesedaysandpolicymakerswillpaymoreattentiontoaletteroremailtheyknowcomesfromarealpersonShareanypersonalexperiencesthatdirectlyillustratethepointyouaretryingtomake(ieldquoMysonJasonisabrightcuriouschildwhodoeswellinmathandsciencebutbecauseofhisreadingscoreshisschoolPS123wantshimtorepeatthirdgradeRetentionisnottheanswer rdquo)

bullInclude your name address and other contact information Legislators need to know that you are one of their constituents If you are sending an email be sure to use your real name not a username like ldquoLD momrdquo Anonymous mail will be ignored

bullBe brief specific and courteous KeepyourcommunicationsasshortaspossibleandbesuretopolitelystateyourspecificrequestinthefirstfewsentencesAvoidjargonthelanguageofyourmessageshouldbeassimpleaspossible

bullMention any affiliation you have with the policymaker IfyouknowsomeoneintheofficeorworkedontheRepresentativersquoselectioncampaignremindhimorherHavingapersonalassociationgivesyouevenmoreinfluencethan only being a constituent

bullEnclose any recent articles or reports that are relevant to your message NeverassumepolicymakersreadeverythingyoudoTheymightbutitisalwayshelpfultobringgoodinformationtotheirattention

bullIf your message is about a specific bill budget item or policy be sure to mention the name or number if you know it AlsostatewhetheryousupportoropposeitandaskforthepolicymakerrsquosviewsProvidefactsthatbackupyouropinionandshareanypersonalexperiencesthatpertaintotheissue

Using EmailMembers of Congress receive millions of emails each year To cut down on email volume most members of Congress arenowusingfilteringsystemsthatallowonlyemailsfromconstituentstoreachtheirinboxBesuretofollowtheinstructionsoftheWebformmdashtypicallyusedbymostMembersrsquositesmdashtoensurethatyourmessageisreceivedWheneverpossiblebesuretorefertoaspecificpieceoflegislationinthesubjectline(iereSupportEarlyInterventionforChildrenwithReadingDifficulties)andincludeyourmailingaddresssothereaderknowsyouareaconstituentIndividualizeyouremailbysharingthosepersonalexperiencesthatpertaintoyourargumentSomeemailcampaignsgeneratedbyLegislativeActionCenterssuchasthoseonwwwLDorgallowyoutoeditthetextyouaresendingsousethatoptiontomakeyouremailletterstandoutAgainthebestpolicyistouseallformsofcommunicationmdashwritealetterfaxitandalsosendanemail

Making Phone CallsPickingupthephoneisaneasywaytoreachouttopolicymakersanditisimmenselyeffectiveYourFederalRepresentativesshouldhavetheirphonenumberslistedontheirwebsiteinthebluepagesofthelocalphonebookoryoucanalwaysgetthisinformationthroughtheUSCapitolswitchboardat(202)224-3121orvisit wwwcontactingthecongressorgwhereyoucanenteryouraddressandgetcompletecontactinformationforyourelectedofficials

WhencallingasktospeaktotheaidewhoisresponsibleforeducationanddisabilityissuesSpeakingtoanaideisaseffectiveasspeakingtoanactuallegislatortheirstaffsexisttobetheirexpertsonwhatvoterscareaboutUsethesameguidelinesforaphonecallaswhenyouwriteBeforeyoudialbesureto

bullPrepare what you are going to say Writedownafewconcisetalkingpointssothatyoudonrsquothavetoremembereverything in the heat of the moment

bullMention your name and address so they know you are in their state or district

bullCall the office Whetheritrsquosvoicemailorareceptionistspelloutyournameandaddressandleaveashortmessageoutliningwhatyouarecallingabout(ldquoIrsquomcallingaboutthependingreauthorizationoftheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationActandtheneedforearlyinterventionforstrugglingreadersrdquo)

bullFollow up any phone call with a written note sent via email or fax This way the legislator has a written recordofyourcallandyouhaveanotheropportunitytoreinforceyourmessageThenoteshouldclearlyincludeyournameaddressphonenumberandwhenyoucalledIfyouwereabletospeaktosomeonebesuretothankhimor her

Meeting with PolicymakersItmayseemdauntingbutthebestwaytoensurepolicymakersgetyourmessageistellingthemortheirstaffinpersonVisitingalegislatoriseasyAllyouhavetodoismakeanappointmentinadvanceYoucanvisitthemattheirdistrictofficeswhentheyarehome(typicallyonMondayandFriday)orgotoseethemonCapitolHill(iftheyarefederal legislators)

Beforeyougothinkaboutthefollowing

bullConsider bringing a delegation Itrsquoslessintimidatingforyouifyouarepartofagroup(ieagroupofparentsofchildrenwithlearningdisabilitiesoradiversegroupofeducatorsparentsandpsychologists)andyourmessagewillbe even stronger because of your numbers If you are a team be sure there is a leader who will do most of the talking

bullWhy are you going You should rehearse what you are going to say and how you are going to say it before you go Beabletogivea90-secondversionofyourpresentationItshouldincludeyournamewhereyoulivewhatpertinentgroupsyouareapartofasynopsisoftheissueyouareaddressingandaclearrequest(pleasesupportbillxoropposethepassingofresolutiony)Yourappointmentwillprobablybeveryshort(10-15minutes)sostartwiththesummaryandthenexpandastimepermits

bullKnow where the policymaker stands YoursquollbeabletoprepareyourstrategyduringthemeetingifyouknowexactlywherethepersonyouaremeetingwithstandsontheissueyouareaddressingCalltheofficeorcheckoutProjectVoteSmartatwwwvote-smartorgYoucanalsocalltheofficebeforeyougoandaskwhathisorherpositionis

bullPrepare something in writing Whetheritisaone-pagesummaryofyourpresentationorafolderwitharticlesandstatisticssupportingyourrequestyoushouldalwayshavesomethingtohandthepersonyoumeetwithAlsobesurethatwhateveryouhandoverhasyournameaddressphonenumberandemailaddressonitGettingintouchwithyou should be effortless

bullFollow up with a thank-you note OncethestaffmembercanconnectafacewithyournamedonrsquotlethimorherforgetYournoteshouldbeshortandshouldbrieflysummarizewhatyoudiscussedatthemeetingincludeanyinformationyoupromisedtoprovideandasalwaysincludeallyourcontactinformation

Ifyoursquovestatedclearlyandconciselywhyyouarethereandtherersquossometimetospareexplainwhothisissuewillaffect and how If the legislator with whom you are meeting (or whose aide you are meeting) has done something you arepleasedaboutlethimorherknowthatPolicymakershearlotsofcriticismgenuinepraiseisalwayswelcomeYoumayspendalotoftimelisteningtowhatthepolicymakerrsquosviewsonyourissueareoryoumayhavetoeducatethemonsomebasicsmdashbepreparedforeitherscenarioAlsolethimorherknowthatyouwillsharewhathappensatthemeetingwithawideraudiencebackhome(suchasyourlocallearningdisabilitiesadvocacygroup)Thisisarelationshipyouarebuildingandevenifyoudonrsquotseeeyetoeyeitrsquosimportanttokeepthedooropentocontinuedcommunications

Working with the Media

If you are a parent advocate you are also an activist Working with the media is a powerful and enduring tool in my special education toolbox Remember the media is there to tell the news or a story My voice and pen are my greatest

obligation and opportunity When I have something to say or want to educate the public I am relentless in my pursuit to be heard on behalf of our children I write blogs letters to the editor guest columns and callemail the education editorial staff and staff-writers to pitch an idea for a story or pass along important news about legislative action and special education policy

Believe in your heart that your childrsquos school experience is a story waiting to be told The media is nothing to be intimidated by I am a recognized and reliable resource whether I am the writer or the source of information Write a letter to the editor or contact an education staff-writer with a story I promise the media is waiting for you

Marcie Lipsitt parent advocate Michigan

ThinkofthemediaasatoolGettingmediacoveragecanhelpyoudrawattentiontospecificissuesregardinglearningdisabilitieseducatethepublicandinfluencepolicymakersbydrawingatten-tiontotheiractionsThemediawieldsalotofpowerinsocietytodaybutbehindallthenewsprintandsoundwavesreportersarepeoplelikeyouwhowanttoinformthepublicWithagoodangleandtherighttimingyoucanbringalotofattentionto the needs and rights of children with learning disabilities

Working with the media can take a few different forms

u Writing letters to the editoruWritingop-edpiecesuApproachingeditorialboardsu Calling a radio showuPreparingpressreleases

Keepthesebasicprinciplesinmindwhenworkingwithyourlocalnewspaperradiostationorevenatelevisionprogram

bullKnowexactlywhatitisyouwanttosayandhowtosayitBeconciseandkeepyourmessagetotwoorthreestrongpointsthatyoucanexpressinafewdifferent ways

bullWheneveryoucontactanymediaoutletorspecificreporterbesureyoufindoutwhoisinchargeofeducationandordisabilityissuesandgetthatpersonrsquosdirectphonenumberfaxnumberandemailaddress

bullUsethesimplestplainestlanguagepossibleReportersmay or may not know as much as you do about learningdisabilitiesbutyourwordsareforthepublicthereporterisreachingwhomyoushouldassumearenot at all familiar with the issues you are discussing Ontheotherhanddonrsquotbecondescendingeither

bullBecomethoroughlyfamiliarwithanynewspaperradioshowortelevisionprogramwithwhichyouwillbecommunicatingBesurethatyouunderstandthe style and general angle of the outlet and that you arefamiliarwiththeworkofanyparticulareditorreporterorproducerwithwhomyoumightbeincontactThiswayyoursquollknowhowtoapproachthemorperhapstopushbackwhenheorshewritessomethingwithwhichyoudisagreeFrequentlyyouwillfindthatreportersaredrawntotheissueoflearningdisabilitiesbecauseofsomepersonal

connectionsuchasachildorrelativewhohasalearningdisabilitysuchasdyslexiaJustasoftenthereportermightaskaboutLDwheninfacttheyareseekinginformationaboutotherdisabilitiessuchasADHDorautismspectrumdisordersBepreparedtousethosekindsofconnectionstoyouradvantagemdashyoucanbuildarelationshipbyofferingyourself as a resource

bullNeverassumethatanythingisldquoofftherecordrdquoItrsquosareporterrsquosjobtotakewhatyousayandturnitintoastorythatsellspapersTheonlywayyoucanmakesuretheyaretellingyourstoryisbystickingtoitDonrsquotthrowinlittlecommentariesevenifyouthinkyoursquorejustlighteninguptheconversationunlessyouarepreparedtoseetheminprint

bullldquoNocommentrdquoisacommentItdoesnrsquotimplythatyoudonrsquotknowitimpliesyouknowbutdonrsquotwanttotalkaboutitbecauseitmightbeaweaknessinyourargumentorgoagainstyourpoint

bullItrsquosokaytosayldquoIdonrsquotknowrdquoThebestthingtosayisldquoIdonrsquotknowbutIcangetbacktoyouonthatrdquoThenfindoutquicklyandcontactthereporterpromptly

bullDonrsquotletareportergettoyouItrsquosareporterrsquosjobtoaskquestionsandsometimesevenplaydevilrsquosadvocateAlwaysbepolitecalmandcollectedandmakesureyoustayontopic

bullDonrsquotletreportersputwordsinyourmouthItrsquosdangeroustoagreewithastatementtheymakeforyou(ieldquoSowouldyousaythatrdquo)ThequotesshouldcomefromyounotthemIfyoursquorenotsureheorshegotitrightitrsquosokaytoaskareportertoreadbackwhatyoujustsaid

bullPreparationisthebestwaytoensurethatyoucomeawayfromanyone-on-onesituationhavingclearlyandeffectively communicated your message

bullAlwaysthankthepersonwithwhomyouaredealingandfollowuptomakesureyourmessagesarebeingused

bullAskwhenthestorywillrunandrequestnotificationwhenitgoeslive

Letters to the EditorTheLetterstotheEditorsectionisalwaysoneofthemostpopularsectionsofanypaperormagazineThissectionisaneasywayforyoutoletpolicymakersknowyouropinionsandtoeducatereadersaboutissuesthatconcernyouLetterscanbeusedtocorrectorrespondtothefactsinanarticletopraiseorcriticizeopinionsexpressedinthepublicationortosimplybringattentiontotheissueyouwanttoaddress

StudythepublicationyoursquorewritingtobeforeyoubeginKnowthenameoftheappropriateeditortowritetoandbecomefamiliarwiththeformatthatpublishedletterstakeSomenewspapershavewrittenguidelinesfortheirlettersFollowingtheseguidelinescloselyisthebestchanceyouhaveofgettingpublished

Hereareafewmoretipstohelpyougetyourmessageacrossinalettertotheeditor

bullTiming is everything Respondtoanarticleornewsitemrightafterithappensorevenbetterifyouknowabillispassingoranarticleisbeingprintedsendyourlettertotheeditorbeforereadersknowanythingaboutit

bullShort and sweet JustaswhenwritingtoalegislatorkeepyourletterclearandconciseMakeonestrongpointandleave it at that Itrsquos a good idea to write a draft of your letter take a break and then look at it again That way you can makesurethatyouaresayingexactlywhatyouintend

bullCheck your facts BothyourcredibilityandthatofthepublicationhangontheaccuracyofyourletterandcredibilityiseverythingIfitturnsoutyoudidnrsquothaveyourfactsstraightitrsquosunlikelyyourletterswillbepublishedagain

bullMake it relevant Ifyouarewritingtoasmalllocalpaperexplainhowyourissueaffectsthecommunity(ieldquoIfCouncilmanWhorsquosresolutionpassesoneineveryfourthirdgradersatWhovilleElementarySchoolwillberdquo)IfyouarewritingtoalargerpublicationadaptyourtoneandscopetoitsaudienceLocalconnectionsforpapersbasedinmetropolitanareasarestillimportantevenforlargepapers

bullName names DonrsquotbeafraidtomentionpolicymakerrsquosnamesmdashthisisaneasywaytomakealetterrelevanttoalocalareaIfyouareaddressingaspecificpersonrsquospoliciesorintentionsbesuretosendacopyofthelettertothatpersonPoliticiansneedtoknowyouarepayingattentiontowhattheyaredoingthatwillhaveanimpactonchildrenwith LD

bullLet them know who you are AnylettertotheeditorshouldincludeallyourcontactinformationThepublicationmaynotprintitbutaneditormayneedtogetintouchwithyoutoverifysomeinformationortoaskyouquestionsJustaswithpolicymakersoneofyourgoalsistobecomeasourceofinformationforthemAlsoifyouhaveanycredentialsthatmakeyoumoreofanauthoritymentionthemYourexpertisewillmakeitfarmorelikelythatyourletterwillgetprinted

bullFollow up CallthepublicationtomakesuretheyreceivedyourletterandoffertohelpthemwithanystoriestheyhaveplannedonlearningdisabilitiesTheymighthavefeedbackforyouonyourletterormighttaketheopportunitytoaskyouafewquestionsabouttheissue

bullKeep trying EvenifyourletterdoesnrsquotgetpublishedwriteanotheronethenexttimeitrsquosappropriateTherecanbemanyreasonswhyapublicationdoesnrsquotprintanyoneletterandeducatingtheeditorialstaffofthepublicationisanimportanttasktoo

bullContrary point of view Letterstotheeditorwhichproposeaviewcontrarytotheviewinanarticlearemorelikelytobepublishedthanletterswhichagreewiththepaperrsquospointofview

Writing an Op-Ed PieceOp-edsareliketheuppercrustofletterstotheeditorTheyarewrittenbyreadersjustlikeletterstotheeditorbuttendtocomefrompeopleofauthoritysuchaspresidentsCEOsandevenlegislatorsOp-edscarryabylinesoinawaytheyarearticlesbutopinionatedonesIfyouarepartofanadvocacyorganizationitrsquosagoodideatogivethebylinetotheexecutivedirectororamemberoftheboard(withtheirpermissionofcourse)Whenwritinganop-edusetheguidelinesforletterstotheeditorandalsokeepinmind

bullTheformatforanop-edisveryspecificUsuallytheyrangefrom300-750wordsMakesureyouknowwhatthepublicationrsquosguidelinesareOp-edsaregenerallyalsoexclusivesosubmittheop-edtothepublicationthathasthelargestcirculationandthegreatestlikelihoodofpublishingyourworkTargetpublicationsthatpublishop-edsonthetopicuponwhichyouarewriting

bullThestrongestop-edsaretheonesthatmakereadersunderstand(1)whyanissueisimportanttothempersonallyand(2) what they should do about it The tone should not suggest that the issue is about you and your agenda but rather that yours is of broad concern and you are offering a suitable call to action

bullMakeitsimpleYourmessageshouldbeloudandclearsoagoodruleofthumbistofirsttellthemwhatyouaregoingtosaysayitandthentellthemwhatyousaidYourlanguageshouldbejargon-freeandunemotional

Tolearnmoreabouthowtoeffectivelyplaceyourop-edinthemajorpapersacrossthecountryvisittheCommunicationConsortium Media Centerrsquos site at wwwccmcorgnode16170

Approaching Editorial BoardsEditorialboardsaretheeditorsandstaffofapublicationwhodeterminewhatgoesintothepublicationGoingtoaneditorialboardisthebehind-the-sceneswaytogetyourmessageoutYourfirstgoalistogetaneditorialmdashtheofficialopinionofthepublicationmdashwrittenaboutyourissue(Newspapereditorialshavebeenknowntoswaypublicopinionstronglymdashpoliticiansworkhardtogetapapertoendorsethemduringelections)ConvincinganeditorialboardisalotlikeconvincingalegislatorMeetingwithaneditorialboardcanalsohavetheaddedbenefitofbringingthefocusedattention of the editors to your issue so that learning disabilities may get more coverage in the future

Prepareforavisitwithaneditorialboardjustlikeyouwouldavisittoalegislator

bullGoingaspartofateamisagoodideaparticularlyifyoucanselectapersonofauthorityandinfluenceastheleader

bullEditorsarealwaysbusysobereadytopresenteverythinginlessthan15minutes

bullBrainstormstoryideasthatrelatetoyourtightlywordedmessagetopresenttotheboard

bullWhenyoursquoredoneaskwhetherthepublicationwillbeabletowriteaneditorialsupportingyourpositionorfeatureanarticleonyourcauseIfnotbepoliteandgraciousandoffertowriteanop-edpieceThentryagainnexttime

Calling a Radio ShowAdvocating for the rights of children with LD on the air is similar to all the other forms of advocacy with one exceptionmdashthesoundofyourvoiceThereisalotofpowerinhearinganindividualrsquosvoiceonairandbeingonaradioprogramcanbeagreatopportunityforyoutohumanizetheissueyouwanttobringattentiontobutyouhavetobeprepared

bullKnow the program yoursquoll be on WhenyouareontheairyouareonthespotandtherersquosnogoingbacktoeditwhatyousayBesuretolearnhowthehosttalkstopeopleandhowheorsherespondswhencallersgetflustered

bullKnow your message inside and out Again radio is live so having notes in front of you to make sure you have thewordsyouneedtoexpressyourselfclearlyandsimplyiskeyTalkaboutaparticularbilloraparticularlegislatorbynameandexplainpreciselywhatyouaretryingtoachieve

bullThink about your audience WhenyouaretalkingthinkaboutwhoislisteningBespecificabouthowthisissueaffectsyourcommunityandtalkaboutthelocallegislatorsandwhattheycandoThegoalistoexpressthatthisisanissueaboutpeoplepeoplelikeyouandpeoplelikeyourlistenersDonrsquotuselanguageyoursquorenotcomfortablewithandbepreparedtoansweranyquestionsWhateverthequestionsmaybebringtheanswerbacktoyourmessage

bullPracticeIfyoursquoveneverbeenontheairbeforeitrsquosagoodideatopracticewithataperecorderandanotherpersonaskingyouquestionsUsingataperecorderwillallowyoutolistentobothwhatyoursquovesaidandhowyoursquovesaiditLongpausestothinkmaycomeacrossasindecisivenessAnervouslaughmaysoundpatronizingandldquoummsrdquoandldquoahhsrdquocandetractfromyourpointConductafewrehearsalsandyoursquollfeelmuchmoreconfidentFeelingrelaxedwhencallingcanonlybenefityourmessage

Preparing Press ReleasesPressornewsreleasesareconciseannouncementsoftime-sensitiveinformationregardinganimportantsituationoreventGenerallypressreleasesareissuedbyorganizationsbutindividualadvocatescanbenefitfromknowinghowandwhenapressreleaseissenttothemedia

ThemosteffectivepressreleasesfollowastandardformatandprovidenewsworthyinterestinginformationtojournalistsinaconcisemannerAgoodpressreleasecanbethebackboneofanarticleandreportersaregratefulforcondensedcopytohelpthemmakeanewsitemmorerelevantOntheotherhandifanindividualororganizationsendsoutapressreleasefornobetterreasonthansendingoutanotherpressreleasetheyallbecomeirrelevantInthemediacredibilityisextremelyimportantandsendingoutirrelevantpressreleasesisalotlikecryingldquowolfrdquo

Using Social MediaTheexplosionofonlinemediatoolshascreatedawholenewwaytogetyourmessageoutBesuretotakefulladvantageoftheseincreasinglypopularavenuesofcommunicating

SetupablogtopromoteyourissuesUsingtoolssuchasWordpress(wwwwordpresscom)orMovableType (wwwmovabletypecom)youcanquicklycreateablogforfreeBlogsallowreaderstopostcommentsgeneratingmoreinterestandinteractionAlsobesuretovisitotherblogsaboutyourissuessuchaseducationspecialeducationanddisabilityblogswhereyoucanpostrelevantcommentsthatkeepyourissuesattheforefront

EstablishingapresenceonsocialnetworkingsitessuchasFacebook(wwwfacebookcom) is a great way to get out informationandmessagesthatsupportyouradvocacyeffortsThesesitesofferavarietyoftoolsthatallowyoutocreateblogsconductforumsandpollsaddphotosaudioandvideofeaturesandmore

Increasetheimpactofyourblogandsocialmediapresencebyusingareal-timeinformationnetworklikeTwitter(wwwtwittercom)tocommunicatequickupdatesaboutwhatrsquoshappeningwithyourissuesDonrsquotforgettousehashtagstoconnectyourtweetstoothersonthesametopicEncourageotherstostayinformedaboutyourworkbyusingReallySimpleSyndication(RSS)mdashapopularmeansofsharingcontentacrosstheInternet

Remembertokeepyouronlinepresenceuptodatewithnewandinterestinginformationopportunitiestogetinvolvedandwaysthosewhosupportyourissuescanhelp

Lastlyconsiderusingotheronlinecommunicationtoolssuchaswebinarspodcastsandvideostoprovideinformationabout your issues and tell others how to get involved and take action

Glossary of Terms

Legislative Termsact AbillormeasureafteritpassesoneorbothchambersofCongressalsousedtodescribealawthatisinplace

adjournment The end of a legislative day and any business of that day different from recess which does not end the day

adjournment sine die AdjournmentwithoutformallysettingthenextmeetingtimeusedtocalltheendoftheCongressional session

advice and consent TheconstitutionalpowerSenatehastoweighinonandconfirmanyPresidentialappointmentsorinternational treaties

amendment AproposalbyamemberofCongresstochangethelanguageprovisionsorstipulationsinabillresolutionmotiontreatyorinanotheramendmentTheHouseRulesCommitteepre-determinesthenumberandtypeofamendmentsthatarerelevanttoaparticularbillwhenitgoestotheHousefloorIntheSenateanysenatormayofferanamendmentontheSenatefloor

appropriation Legislationthatprovidesfundsforaspecificpurpose

authorizationThelegislativeactionthatestablishesaprogramandthegeneralamountofmoneytofundthatprogramtheprogramisnotgivenfundsuntilthereisanappropriation

bill Aproposedlaw

conferees TheHouseandSenateappointconfereestoaconferencecommitteetoresolvedifferencesbetweenHouseandSenatepassedversionsofthesamelegislation

discretionary funds Fundsthatafederalorstateagencycanawardwithoutpublishingannualfundingpriorities

majority leaderTheleaderofthemajoritypartyintheSenateiscalledthemajorityleaderThemajorityleaderintheHouseissecondincommandofthemajoritypartyafterthespeaker

markup Theprocessbywhichcongressionalcommitteesandsubcommitteesdebateamendandrewriteproposedlegislation

minority leaderTheleaderoftheminoritypartyintheHouseorSenate

ranking member Thememberofthemajoritypartywhoranksfirstinseniorityafterthechaironacommitteeorsubcommittee

ranking minority member The highest ranking (and usually longest serving) minority member of a committee or subcommittee

recess AtemporaryinterruptionofbusinessunlikeadjournmentGenerallytheSenaterecesses(ratherthanadjourns)attheendofeachcalendardayTheHouseusuallyadjournsfromdaytodayTheSenateoftenrecessesthusmeetingon the same legislative day for several calendar days or even weeks at a time

resolution AformalstatementofadecisionoropinionbytheHouseorSenateorbothAsimpleresolutionismadebyonechamberandgenerallydealswiththatchamberrsquosrulesorprerogativesAconcurrentresolutionispresentedinbothchambersandusuallyexpressesaCongressionalviewonamatternotwithinCongressionaljurisdictionAjointresolutionalsorequiresapprovalinbothchambersandgoestothepresidentforapprovalSimpleandconcurrentresolutionsdonotgotothepresident

rider AaddedtoabillsoitmayldquoriderdquotoapprovalonthestrengthofthebillGenerallyridersareplacedonappropriationsbillsAlsoknownasldquoporkbarrelrdquolegislation

speaker of the house PresidesovertheHouseofRepresentativesElectedineffectbythemajoritypartyintheHousenextinthelineofsuccessiontothepresidencyafterthevicepresident

table a bill Aproposaltoremoveabillfromimmediateconsiderationoftenusedtokillameasure

unanimous consent Atime-savingprocedurefornon-controversialmeasureswherebymeasuresareadoptedwithoutavoteAmembersimplysaysldquoIaskunanimousconsentforrdquoandstatestheproposal

whip AlegislatorwhoischosentobeassistanttotheleaderofthepartyWhipsarechoseninboththeHouseandtheSenate

(ThefollowingdocumentsweregratefullyconsultedtocompilethisdocumentTheAssociationforSupervisionandCurriculumDevelopmentGlossaryofLegislativeTermsTheAmericanAcademyofAdolescentampChildPsychologyGlossaryofLegislativeTermsTheCapitolnetGlossaryofCongressionalandLegislativeTerms)

Media Termsassignment editor Staffmemberofatelevisionorradionewsteamwhojudgeswhichstoriesideasareappropriateforreporterstocover

audience Agroupofspectatorslistenersviewersorreadersofaperformanceprogramorworkmdashthepeopleyouwant to reach

boilerplate Abriefparagraphdescribingwhoyouarewhatyoudoandhowyoudoitmdashcanbeusedasthefirstparagraphinabiographyorlastparagraphinanewsrelease

booker ThestaffpersonataTVradioorcableprogramwhoarrangesguestappearances

byline Thenameprintedbelowthetitleofanewspaperormagazinearticlecreditingtheauthor

circulation Thedistributionandortherateofdistributionofnewspapersmagazinesandotherprintpublications

ldquoclient paysrdquo wire service Aservicethatdistributesnewsorfeaturestoriesthatareprovidedandpaidforbyclientstotheprintandbroadcastmedia

clip or clipping Astorycutfromapublicationorasegmentcutfromavideooraudiotape

contributing reporter or writer A freelance or non-staff writer

copy editor Thelastpersontoseeandapprovewrittenmaterialbeforeitgoesouttoitsaudiencethepersonresponsibleforitsaccuracygrammarandlength

editing Theactofreadingviewinglisteningrewritingandcuttingprintpublicationsvideooraudioinordertofocusthe story

editor Thepersonwhoeditsstoriesforwritersandproducers

editorial Astatementofopinionfromaneditororpublisheranarticleorsegmentwherethenewsstaffopenlyexpressesabias

editorial calendar Theplanningguideforwhenapublicationwillfocusonspecifictopicsorspecialsections

exclusive Anewsitemorfeaturearticleprintedorbroadcastbyonlyonenewspapermagazineortelevisionstation

freelancer Awriterwhosellswritingservicesandisnottiedtoanyindividualpublicationororganization

frequency Thenumberoftimesapublicationisissuedinagivenperiod(iedailyweeklyquarterly)

ghostwriter Apersonwhowritesbooksarticlesetcforanotherpersonwhoclaimstobetheauthor

lead time Theamountoftimethatreportersandproducersneedtopreparestoriesandinformationforpublicationorbroadcast

letter to the editor Anopenletterwrittenbyreaderstoanewspaperormagazinetocongratulatediscussorcriticizeapreviousarticle

mastheadThelistofeditorspublishersandseniorreportersineachpublicationrsquosissuemagazineswillsometimesalsopublishanadvertisingmastheadlistingtheadvertisingstaff

media Allthemeansofcommunicationmdashsuchasnewspapersmagazinestelevisionradioonlinepublicationsmdashthatprovidethepublicwithnewsandentertainment

media outlet Apublicationorbroadcastprogramthatdistributesnewsandfeaturestoriestothepublic

network Agroupofbroadcastorradiostationsoperatingasaunitoftennetworkaffiliateswillusethesameeditorialmaterial

news Reportsofrecenteventsespeciallythosedistributedtransmittedthroughthemedia

news feature Aspecialstoryorarticleinaprintpublicationthatelaboratesontheideasandconceptsofanewsitem

op-ed page Thepageoppositetheeditorialpageofanewspaperusedforcolumnsandopinionarticleswrittenbystaffmembersorexpertsinthetopicdifferentfromletterstotheeditor

periodical Apublicationthatappearsatregularintervalsieweeklyormonthly

pitch letter Aletterwrittentoamemberofthemedia(ieeditorreporterproducer)suggestingastoryideaorsource

producer Thepersoninchargeofthecoordinationofalldetailsincludingeditorialcontentpertainingtoatelevisionorradioprogramorofanonlinepublication

publication Thegeneraltermforanewspapermagazineornewsletterwithinformationnewsandfeaturestoriesusually for sale

reach Thegeographicareaoftheaudienceamediaoutletcanaccessusuallyquantifiedasanumberofreaderslisteners or viewers

reporter Apersonwhogathersinformationandwritesreportsforpublicationinanewspapermagazinenewsletteror television and radio broadcast

round-up story Anarticleorfeatureintendedtoreviewasubjectoron-goingissueoverapastperiodoftimeiethelast month or year

sidebar Acolumnofcopyandorgraphicswhichappearsnexttoaprintarticletocommunicateinformationthatrelatestoorcomplementsthestory

social media Thetoolset(includingblogs)usedtopublishcontenttothewebincludingaudiovideophotostextfilesetc

spin Aparticularpointofvieworslantgiventoastorytomakeitmoreappealingortomakesomethingappearfavorable

specialized publication Industry-specifictradeorprofessionalpublication

syndicated Areportorarticlethatappearsinmorethanonemediaoutlet

syndicated columnist ApersonhiredbypublicationsorbroadcastorganizationstoproducewrittenorspokencommentaryaboutspecificfeaturesubjectsAsyndicatedprintcolumnisusuallypublishedinawidevarietyofnewspapersmagazinesoronmanylocalnetworks

wire serviceAsubscriptionservicethatprovidesnewsstoriesfeaturesetcdirectlytomediaoutlets

Additional Resources

General Advocacy Resources Tips for Effective Activism from SpeakOutcomToptenadvocacytipsfromSpeakOutcomtheplacetogotomakeadifferencespeakoutcomactivismtips

The Advocacy GuruFreetipsheetstutorialsandnewslettersfromaWashingtonlobbyistandformercongressionalaidewwwadvocacygurucom

Policy ResourcesCongressorgNonpartisannewsandinformationwebsitedevotedtoencouragingcivicparticipationwwwcongressorg

ThomasFederallegislativeinformationfreelyavailableviatheInternetCheckbillstatusrollcallvotesflooractionsandmorehttpthomaslocgov

Joseph P Kennedy Jr Foundation Federal Policy Guide Guidetopublicpolicyworkwithandonbehalfofindividualswithintellectualdevelopmentalandotherdisabilitiesand their familieswwwjpkforgJPKF-Policy-Guide

Media ResourcesCommunications Consortium Media CenterTipsonplacingop-edsandletterstotheeditorassemblingapresskitsettingupablogandmorewwwccmcorgblogtips-tools-training-trends

Association for Supervision and Curriculum DevelopmentAdvocacyGuidewwwascdorgASCDpdfsiteASCDpublicationsadvocacyguide_2009_webpdf

Statistics and Data ResourcesState of Learning Disabilities Comprehensivereportonthestatusofchildrenadolescentsandadultswithlearningdisabilities(LD)intheUnitedStates by the National Center for Learning DisabilitieswwwLDorgstateofld

Office of Special Education Programs at the US Department of Education Products and PublicationsAnnualreportsontheimplementationofIDEAwww2edgovaboutreportsannualosepindexhtml

IDEA Data WebsiteProvidespublicaccesstothemostrecentdataaboutchildrenwithdisabilitiesservedundertheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)wwwideadataorg

National Center for Education StatisticsProvidesstatisticsrelatedtoeducationincludingannualreportssuchasthe Condition of Education and the Digest of Education Statisticswwwncesedgov

Appendices

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)An Overview

What is IDEA TheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct(IDEA)isthefederallawthatprovidesforspecialeducationandrelatedservicesforchildrenagesthreethrough21withdisabilitiesIDEAwhichisbasedontheEducationofAllHandicappedChildrenActof1975waslastreauthorizedin2004IDEAensuresthatafreeandappropriatepubliceducation(FAPE)basedontheindividualneedsofstudentswithdisabilitiesisavailableThelawalsoguaranteesrightsforchildrenwithdisabilitiesandtheirparents

How does a child qualify for services under IDEA TobeeligibleforspecialeducationservicesunderIDEAachildmustmeettworequirements

1 The child must have one or more of the following disabilities

bullAutism bullOtherhealthimpairment bullDeafness bullSeriousemotionaldisturbance bullDeaf-blindness bullSpecificlearningdisability bullHearingimpairment bullSpeechorlanguageimpairment bullIntellectualdisability bullTraumaticbraininjury bullMultipledisabilities bullVisualimpairment(includingblindness) bullOrthopedicimpairment

FormerlyknownasMentalRetardation

2 The childrsquos disability must affect how he or she child does in school

Ifparents(orguardians)believethatachildmeetsboththeserequirementstheyshouldrequestinwritingthatthechildrsquos school evaluate the child If a school thinks a child should be evaluated they may initiate an evaluation also IneithercaseparentalpermissionisrequiredforanevaluationtotakeplaceandtheschoolmustevaluatethechildatnocosttotheparentsIfachildrsquosschoolrefusestoevaluatethechilditmustprovideanexplanationinwritingInthisexplanationtheschoolmustalsogiveinformationaboutparentalrightsunderIDEAincludingwhatstepstotaketochallenge the refusal

Achildmaynotbefoundeligibleforspecialeducationservicessolelybecauseof

bulllimitedEnglishproficiencybulllackofinstruction

What does an evaluation involve AnevaluationisnotjustasimpletestWhenachildisevaluatedtheschoolmustconsideravarietyofinformationsuchasthechildrsquoshealthsocialandemotionalwellbeinggeneralintelligenceperformanceinschoolandhowthechildcommunicateswithothersInformationregardinghowthechildrespondstoscientificresearch-basedinstructionalandorbehavioralinterventionsmayalsobepartoftheevaluationinformation

TheevaluationshouldincludeinterviewswithparentsthechildrsquosteachersandotherswhoareclosetothechildTheevaluationteammayincludethefollowingpeople

bullParents(orguardians)bullThechildrsquosregularteachersbullSpecialeducationteachersbullSchooladministratorsbullSomeonewhocaninterprettheevaluationresultsandtalkaboutwhatinstructionmaybenecessarybullRepresentativesfromanyagenciesthatmaybepayingfororprovidingtransitionservicesbullOtherqualifiedprofessionals

OncealltheinterviewandtestinginformationisgatheredtheteamwillmeettodecideifthechildhasalearningdisabilityandifsowhatkindofspecialserviceswouldbemosthelpfulParentshavearighttobeapartofeverystepoftheevaluationprocessincludingdecidingthechildrsquoseligibilityforspecialeducationservices

What happens if a child is eligible for special education services Within30schooldaysofachildbeingdeterminedeligibleforspecialeducationservicesameetingmustbeheldtodevelopanIndividualizedEducationProgram(IEP)CreatinganIEPhastwogeneralgoals

bullTosetreasonablelearninggoalsforthechildbullTooutlinetheservicesthattheschooldistrictwillprovideandwheretheywilltakeplace

TheIEPmustincludeatransitionplaniftheplanwillbeineffectwhenthechildis16(orearlierifappropriate)Theplanwilladdresswhatservicesthechildmayneedtomovefromgradetogradeandeventuallywhatagenciesmaybeinvolvedinprovidingservicesoncethechildisoutoftheschoolsystem

AgainitisimportantthatparentsareapartofthisprocessasitistheirrightThechildalsohasarighttobepresentandcanbenefitgreatlyfrombeingpartoftheteamthatdesignshisorhereducationstrategy

IDEArequiresthatachildbetaughtintheleastrestrictiveenvironment(LRE)possibleThismeansthatwhendevelop-inganIEPkeepingthechildingeneraleducationclassroomswithchildreninhisorhergradeandagegroupisaprior-ityIfappropriateitispreferableforachildtobeinaregularclasswithin-classservicesandaccommodationsthaninaseparatespecialeducationclass

YourchildrsquosIEPmustbereviewedatleastonceayearMeetingscanberequestedbyeitherparentsortheschoolatanytimetodiscussifandhowthechildrsquosneedsarebeingmetAchildmustalsobere-evaluatedpriortoterminationofspecialeducationservices

What related services does IDEA provide for UnderIDEAachildmaybeeligibleforcertainrelatedservicesWhichservicesshouldbereceivedisdeterminedbytheIEPteamPossibleservicesinclude

bullTransportation bullRehabilitationcounseling bullSpeech-languagetherapy bullOrientationampmobilityservices bullAudiologyservices bullMedicalservicesfordiagnosticorevaluationpurposes bullPsychologicalservices bullIn-schoolsocialworkservices bullPhysicalandoccupationaltherapy bullParentcounselingamptraining

AchildmayalsobeeligibleforassistivetechnologydevicessuchascomputersorvoicerecognitionsoftwarethatcanhelpthechildlearnmoreeffectivelyIftheIEPteamdecidesthechildwouldbenefitfromanyoftheseservicestheschoolisresponsibleforcostsincludinganydevicesandthetrainingrequiredtousethem

What if a parent wants to put a child in private school IDEArequirespublicschooldistrictstoprovidespecialeducationandrelatedservicesforallstudentswithdisabilitiesIfpublicschoolscannotprovideanappropriateeducationwithinthedistricttheymustprovideeducationalservicesoutsidethedistrictIftheschooldistrictfailstoprovideanappropriateeducationtoastudentwithadisabilityandtheparentmustplacethechildinaprivateschooltheschoolmayberequiredtoreimburseparentsforcostsIfafreeandappropriateeducationisavailablebutparentschoosetoenrolltheirchildinprivateschoolthedistrictisnotresponsibleforanycosts

What if parents disagree with decisions made about their child Parents have a right to disagree with the schoolrsquos decisions regarding their child If they are unable to resolve any disagreementinaninformalwaythereareformalstepsthatcanbetakenunderIDEA

bullMediation Parentsandschoolpersonnelsitdownwithanimpartialthirdperson(amediator)andattempttocometo an agreement

bullDue process Parentsandtheschoolpresentevidencetoanimpartialthirdperson(ahearingofficer)andheorshemakesadecisiononhowtoresolvetheissueIftheissueisnotresolvedparentsmaycontinuetochallengetheschoolrsquos decision in court

FormoreinformationonIDEAvisittheIDEAParentGuideat wwwncldorgpublications-a-moreparent-advocacy-guidesidea-parent-guide

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973An Overview

What is Section 504 Section504oftheRehabilitationActof1973isacivilrightslawthatprohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofdisabilityinprogramsandactivitiespublicorprivatethatreceivefederalfinancialassistanceThelawdoesnotprovidefundingforspecialeducationorrelatedservicesbutitdoespermitthefederalgovernmenttotakefundingawayfromprogramsthatdonotcomplywiththelaw

How does an individual qualify as disabled under Section 504 ThereisnospecificmentionoflearningdisabilitiesinSection504howeverthelawdefinesapersonasdisabledifheor she

bullhasaphysicalormentalimpairmentwhichsubstantiallylimitsoneormoremajorlifeactivitiesbullhasarecordofsuchanimpairmentorbullisregardedashavingsuchanimpairment

UndertheregulationlearningisconsideredamajorlifeactivityAsageneralruleifachildiseligibleforservicesunderIDEAheorshequalifiesforprotectionunderSection504HowevernotallstudentscoveredbySection504areeligibleforIDEArelatedservicesSection504hasmuchbroaderdefinitionsofdisabilityandsoitpertainstomanymorepeople

What does an evaluation involve Forschool-agechildrenifparents(orguardians)believetheirchildshouldqualifyforprotectionsunderSection504 they should contact their childrsquos school about an evaluation The law mandates that an evaluation must include avarietyofassessmenttoolsthatwillaccuratelydemonstratethechildrsquosspecificareasofeducationalneedTheevaluationprocessshouldalsoconsidervariousotherfactorssuchasteacherrecommendationsphysicalconditionsocialandculturalbackgroundbehaviorandanyindependentevaluationsEvaluationandservicedecisionsaremadebyamultidisciplinaryteamofpeoplefamiliarwiththechildwhounderstandthemeansofevaluationandthespecialserviceoptionsSection504requirestheuseofevaluationproceduresthatensurethatachildisnotmisclassifiedunnecessarilylabeledashavingadisabilityorincorrectlyplacedThechildmustbere-evaluatedperiodically

What happens if a child is eligible for services under Section 504 IfachildisconsidereddisabledunderSection504schooldistrictpersonnelmaycreateaSection504planIfthatchildisalsoeligibleforservicesunderIDEAtheninmostcasestheIndividualizedEducationProgram(IEP)willtaketheplaceofaSection504planSomeschooldistrictsuseaseparateform

Inordertodeterminewhatkindofserviceswouldbemostappropriateforachildateamofregularandspecialedu-cationteachersaswellastheschoolprincipalwillmeettoconsiderthechildrsquosdisabilityhowitaffectsthechildrsquoseducationandwhatserviceswouldbemosthelpfulParents(orguardians)shouldbepresentforallplanningsessionsregarding their child

What services are available under Section 504 Section504clearlystatesthatafreeandappropriateeducationmustbemadeavailabletoallqualifiedstudentswithdisabilitiesTheeducationalneedsofstudentswithdisabilitiesmustbemetasadequatelyastheneedsofstudentswithout disabilities

AchildmaybeplacedinregulareducationclasseswithaccommodationssuchasataperecorderextendedtimefortesttakingorspecialservicessuchasafterschooltutoringModificationsinacademicrequirementsandexpectationsmay also be considered In each case the individual educational needs of the child should be addressed in the least restrictiveenvironment(LRE)possible

What is the role of a parent under Section 504 UnderSection504achildrsquosschooldistrictmustreceivepermissionfromaparent(orguardian)toevaluatethechildParentsshouldalsoasktoparticipateinallaspectsofplanninganddecision-makingforthechildrsquoseducation

Onceachildhasbeenevaluatedtheschoolmustnotifytheparents(orguardians)abouttheresultsandanydecisionsthataremadeIftheparentsdisagreewithanydecisionsthechildrsquosschoolmakestheyhavetherighttoappealthedecisionthroughanimpartialhearing

Note SignificantchangesweremadetoSection504throughpassageoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActAmendments Act of 2008 For more information see Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and Section 504 at wwwncldorgpublications-a-moreparent-advocacy-guidesunderstanding-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-amendments-act-and-section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)An Overview

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 TheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990(ADA)isacivilrightslawthatprotectsindividualswithdisabilitiesfromdiscriminationintheworkplaceaswellasschoolandothersettingsADAdoesnotprovidefundingforservicesoraccommodationsTheADAwasamendedin2008whenCongresspassedtheADAAmendmentsActtocorrectthenarrowinterpretationofdisabilitybythecourtssinceitspassagein1990

Who is eligible ThereisnospecificmentionoflearningdisabilitiesinADAHoweverthelawdefinesapersonasdisabledifheorshe

UnderthelawlearningisconsideredamajorlifeactivityThisappliestolearningdisabilitiesthataffectworkactivitiestooIfastudentiseligibleforservicesunderIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationActof1997(IDEA)heorshequalifiesforprotectionunderADA

ADA and school ADAmandatesthatreasonableaccommodationsmustbeprovidedtoeligiblestudentsldquotoperformessentialfunctionsofthejobrdquoInotherwordsaschoolisrequiredtoprovideastudentwithdisabilitieswiththoseaccommodationsthathelphimorherlearnmosteffectivelyTherequirementsthislawsetsforschoolsaresimilartotheexpectationssetinSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

UnlikeSection504andIDEAADAdoesnotmakeschoolsresponsibleforthefreeandappropriateeducationofallchildrenHowevertheprotectionsthatareguaranteedbyADAapplytopublicandprivateschoolsequallyTheseprotectionsdonotextendtoorganizationscontrolledbyreligiousgroups

ADA and the workplace ADAprohibitsdiscriminationagainstldquoqualifiedindividualswithdisabilitiesrdquoinallemploymentpracticesincludingjobapplicationprocedureshiringfiringadvancementcompensationandtrainingAldquoqualifiedindividualwithdisabilitiesrdquoisanemployeeorjobapplicantwhomeetsalllegitimateskillexperienceeducationandotherrequirementsofapositionandcanperformtheessentialfunctionsofthepositionwithorwithoutreasonableaccommodation

AnemployermaynotaskaboutalearningdisabilitywithoneexceptionIfanemployerhasaffirmativeactionrequirementsaspartofafederalcontractajobapplicantmaybeaskedtoldquoself-identifyrdquoHowevertheemployermustkeepallinformationregardingdisabilitiesinaseparateconfidentialfileapartfromregularpersonnelfiles

IfanemployeerequiresaccommodationsinordertoperformajobheorshemustdiscloseinformationaboutthedisabilityandtheneedforspecificaccommodationstotheemployerEvenafterdisclosureanemployerisnotrequiredtomakeanaccommodationthatwouldproveanldquounduehardshiprdquo

ThesafeguardsregardingdiscriminationagainstindividualswithdisabilitiesareunderthesameproceduresapplicabletoracecolorsexnationaloriginandreligiousdiscriminationundertheCivilRightsActsof1964and1991ComplaintsagainstemployerswhoviolatetheADAshouldbefiledwithEqualEmploymentOpportunityCommissionor the designated state human rights agencies

For more information see Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and Section 504 at wwwncldorgpublications-a-moreparent-advocacy-guidesunderstanding-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-amend-ments-act-and-section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act

Your Advocacy Notes

The National Center for Learning Disabilitiesrsquo (NCLD) mission is to ensure success for all individuals with learning disabilities in school at work and in life Webull Connectparentsandotherswithresourcesguidanceandsupportsotheycanadvocateeffectivelyfortheirchildrenbull Deliverevidence-basedtoolsresourcesandprofessionaldevelopmenttoeducatorstoimprovestudentoutcomesbull Developpoliciesandengageadvocatestostrengtheneducationalrightsandopportunities

National Center for Learning Disabilities IncPublic Policy Office

1101VermontAvenueNW400bullWashingtonDC20005-3521bull703-476-4894bullwwwLDorg

New York City Office 381ParkAvenueSouthSuite1401bullNewYorkNY10016bull212-545-7510

copyNationalCenterforLearningDisabilitiesInc2012AllrightsreservedThispublicationisprovidedfreeofchargebytheNationalCenterforLearningDisabilitiesWidedisseminationisencouragedCopiesmaybemadeanddistributedinkeepingwiththefollowingguidelinesThepublicationmustbereproducedinitsentiretyincludingpagescontaininginformationabouttheauthorandtheNationalCenterforLearningDisabilitiesCopiesofthepublicationmaynotbesold

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Table of Contents

A Message from NCLD 3

Getting Started 4

Talking about LD 6

Working with Policymakers 10

Working with the Media 14

Glossary of Terms 19

Additional Resources 23

Appendices 25

National Center for Learning Disabilities Inc381 Park Avenue SouthSuite 1401New York NY 10016212-545-7510wwwLDorgwwwgetreadytoreadorgwwwRTInetworkorg

Public Policy Office1101 Vermont Avenue NW 400Washington DC 20005-3521703-476-4894wwwLDorg

The National Center for Learning Disabilitiesrsquo (NCLD) mission is to ensure success for all individuals with learning disabilities in school at work and in life Webull Connectparentsandotherswithresourcesguidanceandsupportsotheycanadvocate

effectively for their childrenbull Deliverevidence-basedtoolsresourcesandprofessionaldevelopmenttoeducatorstoimprovestudentoutcomes

bull Developpoliciesandengageadvocatestostrengtheneducationalrightsandopportunities

A Message from NCLD

Sincerely

Getting Started

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

A Message from NCLD

Sincerely

Getting Started

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Getting Started

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Glossary of Terms

bill Aproposedlaw

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Your Advocacy Notes

A Message from NCLD

Getting Started

Talking about LD



Glossary of Terms


Appendices

Documents

LD Advocates Guide