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The two primary goals of the Learning Disabilities Training and Dissemination (LDTD) Project funded by the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) to Laubach Literacy Action (LLA) and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA) are:
- To provide the volunteer-based literacy delivery system an opportunity to receive training in the use of resource materials developed by The National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center (NALLDC) and other groups in the adult literacy service arena.
- To create systemic change in the volunteer delivery system that will result in higher numbers of adults with learning disabilities establishing and achieving meaningful outcomes for their participation in the literacy program.
1999-2000
Four state-level partners each identified a team of three people who completed an LDTD train-the-trainer workshop in early 1999. Their training was based on Bridges to Practice: A Research-based Guide for Literacy Practitioners Serving Adults with Learning Disabilities (NALLDC).
These LDTD state teams conducted Bridges-based workshops for representatives from five to six local literacy programs in each state. Each program then analyzed its strengths and needs in relationship to services for adults with learning disabilities. Based on this analysis, the programs developed and implemented plans for improving their services. They addressed the following:
- the program�s legal responsibilities in relation to serving adults with disabilities
- selection of one or more screening tools to help identify students who might have LD
- revision of policies and procedures for student intake processes
- identification of resources in the community that can do diagnostic testing to determine if the student really does have a learning disability
- development of an advisory committee, including adults with LD, to help make decisions about program directions
- special training for tutors on the characteristics of good instruction and how to use accommodations to make this instruction more effective for adults with special learning needs
- review of print and software instructional materials for use with adult with LD, and development of resource collections for loan to tutors
- training to increase the understanding of staff and board members about LD
The four state-level partner organizations worked to increase awareness about LD and to help bring about change from the state level. Some of their activities included:
- publishing a statewide newsletter on LD
- developing LD strands for their state conferences
- sponsoring meetings of pilot site representatives for sharing and learning
- developing training manuals to help tutors better address the needs of adults with LD
- publishing a list of sources where students can get free or reduced-cost LD diagnostic testing or screening for vision and hearing
- raising money to provide supplemental grants to the local pilot programs to purchase screening materials or participate in additional training
- sponsoring a discussion list to enable local programs to share ideas and experiences
- developing a brochure to help adults with LD understand their rights
2001
In the final year we are working with four new state-level partners to help them develop their own training teams that will conduct at least one Bridges-based workshop for local volunteer-based adult literacy programs in their respective states. Planned activities include:
- developing in-service modules for administrators and teachers/tutors on LD
- communicating with local programs via newsletter articles, web sites, and discussion lists
- collaborating with other state-level agencies and planning groups
- conducting LD sessions at state conferences
We are continuing to work with the original four states as they continue their work in systemic reform at the state level and in support of the local programs. The work includes:
- orientation training for the Wilson Reading Program
- adding pilot programs who are interested in the Bridges-based training and subsequent process of program change
- resource list of LD experts within the state for local workshops, technical assistance, or consultation
- expansion of state�s training team
- inclusion of Bridges-based workshops in state�s professional development system
Final products developed in collaboration with the state partners and the local pilots include:
- background information for volunteer adult literacy programs on learning disabilities and legal issues
- a promising practices report from local pilot sites
- profiles of students with LD
- a systemic change flowchart
- quality indicators for volunteer programs serving adults with LD
- list of assistive technology for adults with low-level literacy skills and LD
- in-service tutor training modules
For more information contact:
Laubach Literacy Action, Linda Church, [email protected]
Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., Kaye Beall, [email protected]
Contact information for State-level Partners:
1999-2000
2001
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