Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois

Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois The Learning DisabilitiesAssociation of IL is a not-for-profit membership organization. We are passi

With Learning Disabilities Association of America – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of the...
06/25/2026

With Learning Disabilities Association of America – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

With Council for Exceptional Children – I'm on a streak! I've made it onto their weekly engagement list 4 weeks in a row...
06/25/2026

With Council for Exceptional Children – I'm on a streak! I've made it onto their weekly engagement list 4 weeks in a row. 🎉

06/25/2026

Special education is fundamentally an educational, not medical, enterprise. Relocating the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to a health-focused agency risks reinforcing a medical model of disability that emphasizes diagnosis and treatment rather than educational access, achievement, and inclusion. Read our full statement here: https://ldaamerica.org/ldas-statement-on-the-move-of-osers-to-hhs/

06/24/2026

Public health leader Dr. William (Bill) Datema was installed as the 59th president of National PTA, at the 2026 National PTA Convention in Pittsburgh. Dr. Datema will serve as president of National PTA until June 2029.

Starting as a student member, Dr. Datema has been involved in PTA for over 50 years, including serving in leadership roles and on a variety of committees at the national, state and local levels. At the national level, he served as president-elect, secretary-treasurer and on the Board of Directors.

“Bill is the embodiment of everything we say we want in a leader. He is deeply committed to building that same opportunity for the next generation—including our young people. That is exactly the kind of president who will take PTA to its next level,” said Howie Berman, MA, CAE, National PTA executive director.

Dr. Datema has a 45-year career in public health and education including as chief executive officer of the Society for Public Health Education, chief of the Program Development and Services Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health, director of partnerships for children’s health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and executive director of the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education. He is currently the United States representative for the UNESCO Chair Global Health and Education.

“Chronic absenteeism is at crisis levels. Mental health needs among young people have never been greater. Families are navigating cuts to SNAP and threats to special education programs while the federal education landscape is shifting beneath their feet. PTA must be the strongest and clearest voice on every one of these issues—because every child, one voice is not just our tagline. It is our charge," said Dr. Datema, who has also served as a board member for several other international, national, state and local nonprofit organizations focused on education, public health and advocacy for young people.

Dr. Datema succeeds Yvonne Johnson, who served as president of National PTA the past three years.

06/24/2026

Inclusion is more than an empty buzzword; true inclusion means creating environments where EVERY individual feels valued and empowered to contribute.​

While it may sound simple in theory, creating truly inclusive environments isn't easy; that's where GiGi's Playhouse comes in. ​

Through our free, accessible programs, we make sure every individual with Down syndrome is supported. But more than that, we also invite community members into our Playhouse walls to see firsthand how valuable individuals with Down syndrome are.​

Want to see inclusion in action? Find a Playhouse near you: https://ow.ly/ocVC50ZffZI

Yesterday, LDA of Illinois was proudly represented by Julieta Pasko and Paola Vieyra at Loyola University Chicago’s Educ...
06/24/2026

Yesterday, LDA of Illinois was proudly represented by Julieta Pasko and Paola Vieyra at Loyola University Chicago’s Education Law and Policy Institute: Education Law – A Year in Review.

This outstanding event brought together educational leaders, attorneys, policymakers, and advocates to discuss important developments in education law and policy, including Supreme Court updates, educational equity, immigration issues affecting schools, Title IX, and legislative updates from the Illinois State Board of Education.

As advocates for individuals with learning disabilities and their families, we are committed to staying informed about the laws, policies, and educational practices that impact the communities we serve.

Thank you to Loyola University Chicago for hosting this valuable learning opportunity. We look forward to bringing this knowledge back to support the mission of the Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois.

💙 Educate. Empower. Advocate.

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10101 S Roberts Road, Ste 205
Palos Hills, IL
60465

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