A memorial service was held April 1, 2008 for our dear friend and past colleague, Laurel M. Jones.  Laurel’s connection to the Learning Disabilities Association of Washington began in the late 1970’s when her son was diagnosed with a learning disability and Attention Deficit Disorder.  She was involved with the Eastside Chapter of the LDA of Washington for a number of years before accepting the position of Information and Referral specialist at the State office.  In 1986 she assumed the position of Executive Director and stayed in that position until 1994.

During her tenure Laurel helped develop and promote many programs and services for children and adults with LD/ADD/ADHD, including a campaign for public awareness of learning disabilities and attention disorders. Laurel’s passion was to help individuals and families dealing with the problems associated with learning disabilities and attention difficulties find the proper resources, programs and support. We appreciate Laurels years of dedicated work for the LD/ADD/ADHD community in Washington State.

We extend our condolences to Laurel’s husband Jerry, daughter Alyson and to other family members.  She will be missed.

The Board and Staff of LDA of Washington

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.

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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.

The LDA of Washington is staffed by a group of professionals who have training and experience in this specialized field. A voluntary Board of Directors provides programmatic and financial oversight.  LDA of Washington is a 501 c(3) nonprofit corporation; donations are therefore tax exempt.