News

LDA LIFE AND LEARNING SERVICES LAUNCHES ONLINE COMMUNITY RESOURCE
New Website provides Rochester parents with resources to address needs of children who struggle in school.

ROCHESTER, NY, October 9, 2007 – Starting today, parents in the Rochester area will have a new resource to help them address the needs of their children who struggle in school. With the help of private donations and a Xerox Social Service Leave, LDA Life and Learning Services has created a new website, designed to connect parents with information and services focused on learning disabilities and other learning challenges.  Launched today, the site -- found at www.LDARochester.org – is organized by age range enabling parents to easily find the information that pertains to their child and their immediate concern.

The website is a key element of the agency’s Project Connect community building efforts. The website resource lists developmental milestones, support services, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to other sites, as well as information about the steps involved in accessing special education services through the child’s school district. The site, developed by interactive marketing firm Corporate Communications, Inc., also includes a calendar of local workshops, conferences and support groups.  LDA plans to add two sections to the site – one with resource information specifically for educators and one with information specifically for health care providers – in early 2008. 

According to Kim Segal, LDA’s director of educational services, development of the website was made possible by Xerox Corporation’s Social Service Leave program along with financial donations from individuals and businesses in the community.

Xerox granted a 6-month sabbatical to employee Carolyn Steinkirchner – a Rochester resident and project manager in Xerox’s Global Services organization in Webster – so that she could coordinate development of the site for LDA. Steinkirchner is one of six Xerox employees in the U.S. selected to participate in the 2007 program.

LDA Life and Learning Services is a nonprofit that helps people with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, and other developmental disabilities seek success in school, work, relationships, and independent living.  Steinkirchner wanted to give back to the agency that has helped her with her two sons. She also wanted to live her passion for advocating for children with learning disabilities “Years ago, when my two boys were young, LDA helped me as a single mom find the right educational support and as a result I have been a LDA volunteer for seven years,” said Steinkirchner.  “Having the opportunity to work at LDA full-time for the last six months has been extremely satisfying. I believe this site will really make a difference for parents, kids and our community as a valuable resource in addressing the challenges of learning disabilities.”