TULSA – While millions of U.S. children struggle daily with learning disabilities, several state organizations are coming together Nov. 16-17 in Tulsa to create awareness about the disabilities and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed in school.

“Empowering the Future” is a collaborative conference between the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Services, the Learning Disabilities Association of Oklahoma (LDAO) and Oklahoma State University’s College of Education.

Dr. Alice Giacobbe, an OSU-Tulsa faculty member in OSU’s School of Teaching and Curriculum Leadership, serves on the LDAO board and will speak at the conference.

“This collaborative conference will provide essential information to parents, educators and professionals who work with children and students, while also promoting education, research, awareness and understanding of learning disabilities,” Giacobbe said.

Topics for the conference include preparing students for post-secondary school options; skills for school success; behavior management strategies; literacy practices that support culturally responsive teaching; and adolescent drug trends in Oklahoma.

The conference will include a keynote address from Rick Lavoie, a learning disabilities and special education consultant and visiting professor at Simmons College in Boston, Mass.

Giacobbe said Lavoie is a nationally known, highly skilled and entertaining educator who is passionate about advocating for students with learning disabilities.

Lavoie has worked with several agencies and organizations including the Public Broadcasting Service, The New York Times, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Girl Scouts of America, Child Magazine and the President’s Commission on Rights of the Disabled.

He has spoken to more than 500,000 professionals and parents through the U.S. and has appeared on numerous national television programs including, the “CBS Morning Show,” “Good Morning America,” the “ABC Evening News,” and “Disney Channel Presents.”

The conference will take place at the Tulsa Southern Hills Marriott hotel. Registration is $125 for members and $145 for non-members before Nov. 9. Students receive a special discounted rate of $40. To register or for more information, visit www.ldao.org or call 918-298-1600.

News Contacts:

Mary Bea Drummond
918-594-8223

Trish McBeath
918-594-8360