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Learning Disabilities Association of New York City
Through our 212 645-6730 Helpline, we provide counseling, information and referrals for NYC residents of all ages who have concerns about learning disabilities.
The mission of The Learning Disabilities Association of New York City is twofold: to facilitate access to needed services for individuals with learning disabilities and to provide support to those individuals and their families. To meet these goals, LDA of NYC operates three programs: The Learning Disabilities Helpline, The Community Outreach Program, and The Adult Support Group.
The Learning Disabilities Helpline is a free telephone referral and information service. The Helpline, with an LDA-created and regularly updated computerized database containing nearly 1,000 listings, provides callers with information about learning disabilities, related legal rights and how to use those rights to secure appropriate instructional and other services. In addition, the Helpline makes referrals to agencies that provide services such as independent evaluations, tutoring, counseling, recreational programs, vocational training, and free or low-cost legal assistance. Callers are encouraged to call as often as needed, and staff members make follow-up calls and send out follow-up letters to ascertain consumer satisfaction with the services provided. The Helpline is funded through a contract with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).
The Community Outreach Program has been funded by New York State’s Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) since January, 1995. The program targets low-income families, especially but not exclusively Hispanic, who are at high risk for having children with learning disabilities. Weekly workshops, in Spanish, English or French, as needed, are held at WIC Centers, health/hospital clinics, Head Start Programs and early childhood centers that serve the target population throughout Manhattan. Workshop sessions provide information on typical child development, deviations from those norms, information on programs for children with learning disabilities and how to access those services. Individual counseling and follow-up assistance is also provided on an as-needed basis. Separate training sessions have been held for staff of the WIC Centers and early childhood program. Staff training has become a key component of the program since staff members have ongoing contact with the target families. A volunteer has translated English language materials into Spanish for distribution at the sessions.
An additional program, the Adult Support Group, serves adults who continue to manifest the social, emotional and vocational problems so often associated with learning disabilities. The program is structured to allow participants to explore their current situations and share experiences, successes and challenges with their peers. Guest speakers are invited to address various topics. The major issues for the group include employment concerns, low self-esteem and poor or absent social relationships. Average attendance at the meetings, held in the evenings once a month throughout the year, has been 8-12 people, although a total of over 50 people view themselves as part of the group.
Visit the Learning Disabilities Association of New York City home page.
