Learning Disabilties and Rural Libraries

What are Learning Disabilties?

Everyone is familiar with various stereotypical words or phrases directed at people who have learning challenges. Common words such as “stupid”, “dummy” or “idiot” are often heard by people who may have difficulties in achieving academic success. In certain educational facilities, people with learning disabilities may be placed in special classes, made specifically for people with “low-intelligence”. What does this mean for a people who have difficulties learning? Well, it perhaps means that a person may suffer from negative opinions of his or her self. According to Veritcy Learning, “An LLD is not a reflection of low intelligence but it can negatively impact your child's self-esteem and confidence” (Verticy Learning, n.d.). A learning disability does not reflect a person’s intellect; however the perceptions of a leaning disability are very skewed, as they reflect grave misunderstandings on how people with a reading disability learn.

Learning disabilities can be language based. Language-based learning disabilities are not cognitive-based (cognitive-based meaning that a person may suffer from an extremely low intelligence score). However, language-based learning disabilities reflect an intrinsic inability to grasp certain language concepts, which are not due to a cognitive deficit. According to Verticy Learning, a language learning disability “affects the way the brain processes information and can impact how a child learns to read, write, hear, speak, or calculate. Children have different learning styles, but some students experience a greater disconnection between their academic aptitude and their ability to read or write” (Verticy Learning, n.d.).

Unfortunately, there are many people that suffer from some type of language-based learning disability. It is reported that at least 20 percent of the United States population has some form of language-based learning disability. The International Dyslexia Association reported that “A: 15-20% of the population have a language-based learning disability. Of the students with specific learning disabilities receiving special education services, 70-80% have deficits in reading” (2007). In other words, many people have a learning disability but more people suffer from a reading disability.

What is the prominent type of language-based disabilities? Dyslexia is the most common form of learning disability, as previously stated more than 70% of the population has a reading disability. And dyslexia is a type of reading disability. Dyslexia is as an inability to read as they may recognize various letters such as misinterpreting the letter 'a' for an 'o' or a 'd' for a 'b' (The Dyslexia Tutoring Program, 2004) . The International Dyslexia Association defines it as “It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities” (2007). And Dyslexia affects males and females equally and does not matter the person’s race or socioeconomic background (The International Dyslexia Association, 2007).

Fortunately, the purpose of this blog is to address the need for rural library services and resources to enhance the quality of life for people who are struggling readers. Does anyone know of any struggling readers in their rural libraries? How do you effectively service them?

References

The Dyslexia Tutoring Program (2004). Retrieved on September 26, 2009 from http://www.dyslexiatutoringprogram.org/

International Dyslexia Association (2007). IDA Facts on Dyslexia and Related Language-Based Learning Differences. Retrieved on September 27, 2009 from www.interdys.org

Verticy Learning. (n.d.) LLD Facts and Resources. Retrieved on September 27, 2009 from www.verticylearning.org