The Global Problem

It is commonly believed that getting diagnosed and treated with a learning disability is an easy and routine process. But, what is kept out of discussion is: 

  1. The process of getting diagnosed and treated with a learning disability can be extremely costly, leaving many people unable to finance these necessities.

  2. Many schools are not equipped with the proper faculty and resources to support their students learning with their learning disability. 

  3. There are still many people who believe a learning disability is something that will go away over time, or that their child will grow out of it. This statement is false and extremely detrimental to children because it encourages their guardians to dismiss the care they are in need of out of a false belief.

These issues are prevalent all over the world. As a result, students with learning disabilities can be held back from getting the support they are in need of, and cannot live up to their full potential. 


When children do not get the support they need, they are more likely to: 

  • Repeat a grade

  • Act out in class, or at the opposite spectrum, become withdrawn

  • Be steered toward trade fields without an adequate assessment of their true interests and capabilities

  • Drop out of school 

  • Not finishing college 

  • Become unemployed or underemployed 

In developing countries, the situation is even worse. The United Nations reports that 90% of children with (any) disabilities do not attend school. The global literacy rate for men with any disability is 3%, and 1% for women. (United Nations Development Program Study, 1998).

How can we Rise above these global challenges? 


Because Rise is based in the US, we don’t have a detailed view of the situation in other countries, and some of our topics are US-centric. Through research and input, we envision Rise evolving to become a global resource. We look forward to hearing from those of you outside the US, and in particular your story as well as the unique challenges you may be facing.

The following comments are intended to be inclusive for people in all countries, where the various levels of support and services may vary widely.

To those with learning disabilities: 

  • There is strength in numbers. If you live in a country where services for people with learning disabilities are rare or non-existent, try to find other people in your same situation.  

  • Try to find a teacher who would be willing to work with you.  If you do not have a diagnosis, but feel that something isn’t right, talk about this with others. Open discussion about the issues you are having could help you connect both with others like you and with someone who can help you.

  • Advocate for yourself and believe in yourself. Never give up throughout the challenges, and rise above your learning disability. 

To those without learning disabilities:

  • Become an active ally to those with learning disabilities. Become educated on the challenges and rights of students with learning disabilities in your country, jurisdiction or state. 

  • Help break misconceptions. If you hear a child being teased because they can’t read, step in and stop the bullying. If you hear someone say things like “they’re too dumb to learn” or “they’ll grow out of it”, challenge those statements and provide correct information.

  • As an ally, look for any resources available for those with learning disabilities. If you live in a developing country, explore contacts and partnerships through the United Nations, local schools, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), or Government Organized NGOs (GONGOs).

  • Start at the top. Your country’s government may have enacted a law guaranteeing an education to people with disabilities, but it may not be consistently applied across the country. Find out what the required services are, and then find out how they are being applied in your area. This will give you the starting point to lobby for change or for greater services.

Having a learning disability is a life long journey and it is our job to become educated about the problems of our systems and beliefs to best support our communities. We must rise above the challenges of the present inequities and fight for a world with education equality.