The Learning Disabilities Association of Virginia (LDAV) is a state-level affiliate of the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA). Our organization focuses on enhancing educational and vocational services for individuals with learning disabilities who live in Virginia while supporting the efforts of LDA at the national level. Learn more about LDAV.

What's New...

Your Family’s Special Education Rights: This August 2009 revision of the 2007 document includes the procedural safeguards mandated in IDEA 2004, the Federal implementation Regulations effective October 2006 and December 2008, and the Virginia Regulations effective July 7, 2009. The document is available on the VDOE website by clicking here or by calling VDOE’s s Office of Dispute Resolution and Administrative at 804-225-2013.

Virginia Special Education Network (VSEN): Through the collaboration of the State Special Education Committee and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, this website distributes timely information related to special education for parents, transition-age students, educators, administrators, and interested service providers. Visit www.vaboard.org/vsenform.htm to join VSEN.

State Special Education Regulations: LDA of Virginia has submitted comments to the Virginia Department of Education regarding the upcoming regulatory revisions. Comments are available here.

Transition Update: Read the report on the 2006 Summer Institute conducted by CEC’s Virginia Division on Career Development and Transition.

LDA Advocacy Course for Parents: Learn how to advocate for the services your child needs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) via this 4-hour training course. Featured Instructor Jane Strawser, parent and volunteer education advocate with the LDA of Maryland, shares her knowledge and expertise on the IDEA law of 1997. In December 2004, IDEA 1997 was reauthorized. Included in the training are annotations regarding the changes made in the law. The course is free to LDA members (sign in page for members) and $55 for nonmembers.

Find out how Virginia schools are performing! Data on the performance and test scores of Virginia’s public schools under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) can be found on www.SchoolResults.org. The data was compiled and paid for by the School Information Partnership (SIP)’ a public-private initiative between The Broad Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information on Virginia's implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act is available here.

Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments and Students with Disabilities: Virginia students must pass a number of SOL tests in order to receive a standard or advanced studies diploma. Review the Guidelines for Participation in the Standards of Learning Assessments to make sure your student's rights are protected.

Virginia Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities: This guide, prepared by the Virginia Legal Advocacy Center, helps parents and students understand the diploma options available in Virginia. Download the FREE 9-page guide here. (*PDF)

Virginia Resources: Be sure to obtain copies of these important documents in order to understand your rights and responsibilities in Virginia:
- A Parent's Guide to Special Education - Download this guide in English or Spanish. (*PDF, 68 pages)
- Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia - Download here. (*PDF - 113 pages)
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Information and Sample IEPs
- Troubleshooting Parents' Special Education Concerns Within A Local School Division - Download here. (*PDF, 3 pages)
- College Guide for Students with Disabilities is now available from the VA Dept. of Education - Download here (*PDF -90 pages)

*These documents require Acrobat Reader to download and print. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed, get it here.