By: Patsy Whitten

Learning disabilities are a dysfunction of the central nervous system that affects an individual's ability to process, remember or express information. Learning disabilities can affect all aspects of a person's life including education, employment and social relationships. Learning disabilities are not related to intelligence and, with appropriate intervention, they are remediable. Research estimates that 10-20% of the population possess some form of a learning disability. This percentage is usually higher for adults enrolled in literacy training programs.

The Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (LDANL) is a not-for-profit organization focused on assisting individuals with learning disabilities. LDANL provides information, access to our resource library, and monthly support group meetings for its members. Membership in LDANL is open to all who are interested in the welfare of children, youth, and adults with learning disabilities.

Left to Right: Patsy Whitten, Project Coordinator and Lynn Green, President of the Learning Disabilities Association of NF & Lab.

The Leaning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador will be holding four provincial workshops and seminars on learning disabilities for literacy service providers. These workshops will take place in St. John's, Comer Brook, Grand Falls, and Labrador over the next year.

The objective of these workshops is intended to benefit literacy service providers who may be encountering students with learning disabilities in their classrooms, laboratories, workshops or offices, and want to become informed about, and sensitive to, the needs of these students.

National studies have shown that 60% of adults with severe literacy problems have undetected or untreated learning disabilities. Many of these individuals may not know that they have a learning disability and assume that they are "just not smart", which is certainly not the case. The instructor who can identify the nature of the problem can be the one to lead them to the means of coping with a learning disability.

Another project LDANL is currently involved in is the Destination Employment program. This partnership between LDANL, the national association, and Human Resources Development Canada, is addressing the employment needs of adults with learning disabilities. It is designed to help people with learning disabilities make the transition from school to the workforce.

For more information or to register for the workshops please call Patsy Whitten, Project Coordinator at 753- 1445 or e-mail ldanl@thezone.net.