LDA of Michigan

07/23/2025

We are excited to announce that we are partnering with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids to host a Disability Advocacy Awareness Day this October. Campus and community agencies will share their services and volunteer opportunities with Aquinas students, staff, and other community members. Be sure to mark your calendars!

06/25/2025

Learning disabilities and other disabilities can impact the whole family. Michigan Kinship Care Resource Center at MSU has resources for all caregivers like this one in August: Parenting & Family Relationships when a Family Member has a Disability. Check it out!

06/23/2025

A dyslexia fact sheet. Thanks to Understood for this graphic. www.DyslexiaConnect.com

02/09/2025

We are definitely stronger together. Are you a member? Be heard. Join today and be part of our state affiliate AND our National organization.

LDA believes that "All students have the right to attend a high-quality public school that meets their needs while maintaining all of their rights under the IDEA and other civil rights statutes." In 1975, the Federal government enacted IDEA guaranteeing the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education for individuals with disabilities. Currently, this program is funded at less than 13%. There is extensive research that provides evidence of the positive long term effects of early childhood programs. LDA advocates for increased funding for LD research, technology-based accommodations and for State and Federal funding to remain with public schools and not voucher or voucher-like programs. If you also support these priorities, consider joining LDA, donating and / or contacting your legislators at the State and Federal levels. https://ldaamerica.org/legislation/lda-legislative-agenda/

02/09/2025

The civil rights of individuals with disabilities of all ages are protected under several Federal Laws including IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act). If you believe your rights have been violated/denied, you have the right to seek help/file a complaint.

02/07/2025

Will you be at the national conference? We'd love to see you!! Our State Board President, Amy Barto, will be hosting the MI Affiliate Meet Up at on Feb. 28. Please stop by for some snacks and to network with other Michiganders at conference - and help us plan our activities for 2025!

If you are attending or thinking about attending conference, note that the hotel room block will close on February 11 (next Tuesday) so if you have not yet booked your room you want to do that now!

Information and registration for conference including a link for room reservations can be found at: https://ldacon.org/

02/03/2025

An opportunity to learn about resources and advocacy for people with disabilities in Kent County. We will be there and hope you will be too!

Save the Date for 2025 Disability Awareness Day!

When: March 28, 2025
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm
Where: Salvation Army Kroc Center; 2500 Division Ave S. Grand Rapids, MI 40507

Please contact Ashley at ashley.k@dakc.us concerning a sponsorship, GoBus! Tickets, or other accommodations for this event.

02/01/2025

From Smart Kids with LD/Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D.: Kids with LD/ADHD tend to be more vulnerable for co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression for several reasons. Some of these reasons include: 1. Processing deficits may make the environment feel overwhelming, 2. Frequent feelings of embarrassment and humiliation in school may trigger emotional issues, and 3. Underlying biological mechanisms such as brain transmitter dysfunctions or a family history of depression or anxiety can also precipitate these issues. Read the entire article at: https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/emotions-behaviors/anxiety-depression-ld/

11/14/2024

Big Announcement

MDRC is bringing back the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum to join states across the country in implementing this transformative leadership opportunity for youth with disabilities.

If you are an organization that would like to join us or help financially to make this program happen, please complete our Google Form. https://forms.gle/uCNJf7QMfViwgdPj6

[Image Description: A promotional graphic with a dark navy blue background and orange text at the top announcing "MICHIGAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM IS BACK". Below is a curved red and white design element separating the header from the event details. The main content includes "Save the Date" followed by event information: "The Michigan Youth Leadership Forum for young leaders with disabilities, June 22-26, 2025, Michigan State University". In the bottom right corner is an illustrated red and white megaphone with teal sound waves emanating from it. The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition logo appears at the bottom of the image.]

11/14/2024

Use your experience as a parent or guardian to coach families on the same journey. Register for an informational training on December 4th from 10-11:30am. Help others go from Surviving to Thriving!

10/23/2024

The list of famous people with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning differences is as impressive as it is long. Celebrities ranging from Tom Holland and Jennifer Aniston to Keanu Reeves and Chris Rock attribute their creative successes, in part, to the resilience and perseverance they developed...

10/03/2024

Excellent news for MI children and teachers!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 This has been years (and years) of hard work and hard conversations in our state. We are proud to have been a little part of these efforts and excited for next steps!

Two bills recently passed under the House will allow students within Michigan to be screened for dyslexia.