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Canadian Faces Of Learning Disabilities (CFOLD) Survey
The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada launches the Canadian Faces Of Learning Disabilities (CFOLD) Survey
OTTAWA, ON – The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) proudly announces the launch of the Canadian Faces of Learning Disabilities (CFOLD) survey. Led by a team of experienced Canadian researchers, in partnership with LDAC volunteers, the survey will provide valuable information as to the lived experiences of individuals in Canada who have a learning disability (LD), which is currently not available at this scale.
The CFOLD survey focuses on mental health impact, with questions also related to the workplace and education. Canadians who self-identify as LD and who are 18 or older are invited to learn more and complete the survey here. The bilingual survey will be open from October 1st to October 31st (Learning Disabilities Awareness Month) and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.
Dr. Lauren Goegan, co-chair of the CFOLD committee, emphasized the survey's value: "With this information, LDAC and our provincial and territorial partners will have current data to support individuals with LD living in Canada with appropriate programs, services, educational resources and tools."
Research findings will be peer-reviewed and communicated in accessible formats to the LD community in 2025.
Quick Facts:
Learning Disabilities (LDs) are neurological disorders that impact the way a person processes information and can affect one or more areas of learning, such as:
- reading (dyslexia)
- written language (dysgraphia)
- mathematics (dyscalculia)
LDs may occur with other types of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Developmental language disorder (dysphasia)
- Developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia)
- Perceptual disorders that affect vision or audition
One in ten, or 4 million Canadians, live with a LD.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Lauren Goegan
Assistant Professor and Co-chair of CFOLD
lauren.goegan@umanitoba.ca
Lead Researches
Dr. Goegan is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Education. Her primary research focuses on the transition from high school to postsecondary education (PSE) for students with learning disabilities (LD). Through this lens, she has explored factors that support a successful transition to PSE, the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, and indicators of academic success. In addition to her research, she is a long-time advocate for individuals with LD. As someone with LD herself, her goal is to contribute to the development of supports and services that assist individuals within the LD community.
Dr. Young is an Associate Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses surrounding understanding and supporting students with specific learning disorders, as well as the practicum in special education. Gabrielle's research interests surround the use of assistive and instructional technology in inclusive classrooms, applying the principles of universal design for learning to support students with exceptionalities in the general education classroom, and pre-service teachers' efficacy to support students in inclusive classrooms and facilitate positive mental health.
A word from the Chair,
Over 20 years ago, PACFOLD (Putting a Canadian Face on Learning Disabilities) was a groundbreaking study. It brought together Canadian researchers and community members with the support of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) to explore what it meant to be a person with LD living in Canada.
However, much has changed over the last 20 years. Therefore, the CFOLD Project—standing for Canadian Faces of Learning Disabilities—seeks to update this understanding.
The CFOLD team aims to examine what it means to live in Canada today as a person with LD. What has changed, and what has stayed the same? We need to know in order to foster the development of educational resources and tools, as well as policies, programs and services adapted to the needs of individuals with LD.
Through this research initiative, we aim to give a voice to those impacted by learning disabilities across the nation, provide them with essential services, and raise public awareness of their situation.
Please support the CFOLD project by completing the survey or by sharing this information as widely as possible within your personal network, your workplace or your local community. What gets measured gets changed.
Thank you,
Roger Casgrain
Chair, Board of Directors
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada
LDAC, where together, we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
The LDAC Team