[navbar] Student Section Tutor Section Affiliates Only Section Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. Homepage Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. Homepage


LVA STATEMENT ON LEARNING DISABILITIES

Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. recognizes that many adults learners served by LVA affiliates come to receive services and are succeessful in reaching their individual goals despite significant learning difficulties, past educational failures, and significant self-esteem issues. Many of our learners also come with significant strengths and successes in areas of their lives.

Among those learners who have learning difficulties, some may be suspected of having learning disabilities and others may be diagnosed as having learning disabilities. Those with diagnosed learning disabilities have certain rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (PL 101-336); LVA affiliates also have rights and responsibilities under ADA. LVA affiliates who receive federal funds also fall under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 (PL 93-112). LVA will use the following definition of learning disabilities:

    Learning disabilities is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficultes in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. The disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span. Problems in self-regulatory behaviours, social perception, and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (for example, sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences (such as cultural differences, insufficent or inappropriate instruction), they are not the result of those conditions or influences.

    National Joint Commission on Learning Disabilities, 1994

LVA will use the term "learning disabilities" when referring to learners with diagnosed learning disabilities and when referring to laws affecting individuals with learning disabilities. LVA recognizes the rights of individuals who have disabilities and that individuals with disabilities may not be discriminated against.

LVA will use the term "learning difficulties" or "suspected of having learning disabilities" to refer to a larger group of adult learners who may have a wider range of difficulties which do not fit the NJCLD definition or who have not been diagnosed as having learning disabilities.

LVA Curriculum/Field Services Committee, June 18, 1999

 


[navbar] [LVA Home Page] [Contact LVA] [LVA Sitemap]