Mission and History

Learning Disabilities Association of Washington
Mission and History
 
Mission
The Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Washington promotes and provides services and support to improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by learning and attentional disabilities.
 
Vision
A world in which:

• All individuals with learning disabilities are empowered to thrive and participate fully in society;

• The incidence of learning disabilities is reduced; and

• Learning disabilities are universally understood and effectively addressed.

 
We respect and honor the diversity of our community and are committed to weaving that diversity into our programs, actions, and results.
 
 
The History of the Learning Disabilities Association of Washington
 
In 1964 a small group of parents in Edmonds, Washington,  concerned about their learning disabled children, formed the first chapter of Learning Disabilities Association of Washington (then called Washington Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, or WACLD).  The association was incorporated in 1964 and became the Washington State affiliate of the National Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD). 
That same year the Seattle Chapter was also started by a group of 75 parents and professionals intensely concerned about a new field – learning disabilities (LD).  This chapter and its first officers later became the State-based association. 
Concern for the lack of education and understanding for their learning disabled children, prompted members of the association to work for an amendment to special education legislation in 1969 to include educational services for learning disabled within education for the handicapped.  Following passage of this legislation, members proceeded to assure that every school district in the state included programming for learning disabled.  Identification, definition, and appropriate programming for these children became a long-term goal of the association and remain a continuing goal. 
The association continued to grow, working out of a church basement, forming chapters and sponsoring conferences for parents and professionals to bring about an awareness of this “hidden handicap," which many did not believe existed.  Members started educating school officials, professionals, government officials, members of the legal community and the public-at-large.
A prominent Seattle judge who agreed to do research on LD for a WACLD sponsored conference became a “believer” when he realized many children who came through his court were in fact LD.  "A Judge Looks at Learning Disabilities" became a popular reading piece on LD as a result of his research.
Dr. Frank Brouilett, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington, became an early supporter of WACLD, and served on WACLD’s Advisory Board of professionals.
WACLD members were involved in helping draft the first set of rules and regulations for education of the handicapped prior to the adoption of House Bill 90 in 1971,  providing services to all handicapped children in the State of Washington.  They informally joined forces with a group called “Education for All” who worked for the successful passage of H.B. 90.  Following passage of H.B. 90, concern arose about the fiscal impact of this legislation on Washington State.  Governor Dan Evans and Dr. Frank Brouillet, put together the Washington State Special Education Coalition to do months of intensive study, the commission concluded that 3% of the children with learning disabilities needed special services.  Thus, learning disabilities finally gained recognition, officially, as needing services.  In 1975 the  Federal Government passed the “Education for All Handicapped” (PL94-142) law that provided protection and rights in all states.
Recognition and services for learning disabilities came slowly.  All along there has been a problem in defining LD, many politicians over the years have wanted “a tighter definition."  The work continues today by the many individuals and agencies who are concerned with keeping the services and protections for learning disabled children and adults; the very services that parents fought so hard for -- many years ago. 
We are now called the Learning Disabilities Association of Washington. Our national affiliate, Learning Disabilities Association of America, changed its name so individuals could easily locate the many LDA’s across the country.
 
Learning Disabilities Association of Washington
FamilyResourceCenter Campus
16315 NE 87th Street, Ste #B-11
Redmond, WA98052
425-882-0820