Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario

What Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario does

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) is a registered Canadian charity (Charitable Registration Number 124367145RR0001) founded in 1960 that provides advocacy, education, and direct services to individuals with learning disabilities (LDs) and ADHD across Ontario. The organization operates from its Toronto headquarters at 365 Evans Avenue, Suite 202, and serves an addressable population estimated at roughly 4 million Canadians (one in ten) living with a learning disability. Its service portfolio is organized around six sub-branded digital platforms - LD@school (English educator resources), TA@l'école (French-language educator resources), LD@home (family and parent resources), LD@work (workplace inclusion and self-advocacy), LD@learning (online courses), and LD@shop (publications and materials) - supported by a province-wide network of LDA Chapters that deliver regional programming and conferences such as the annual LDA Parent Conference.

LDAO's underlying technology is a portfolio of content-driven web platforms rather than a proprietary software stack; no API, SDK, mobile app, or AI/ML capability is disclosed, and the platforms function primarily as resource libraries, course delivery portals, and event registration hubs (with paid events routed through Cvent). The organization produces evidence-informed content, discussion briefs, webinars (including the REAL Talk series), and self-paced online courses priced at $150-$350 per course, alongside free resources distributed to educators and families through Ministry of Education-funded channels.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid non-profit model combining individual course and workshop fees (e.g., $175 Reading Course launch special, $250 self-directed and $350 facilitated Parent Advocacy courses), event registration fees (Educators' Institute and Colloque at $150), donations via CanadaHelps and direct giving, resource sales through LD@shop, and government funding supporting the LD@school and TA@l'école educator platforms. The customer base spans educators and education professionals, parents and caregivers, adults with LDs/ADHD, French-language educators, school boards, and Special Education Advisory Committees (SEACs), with go-to-market executed primarily through direct-to-consumer digital channels, professional events, monthly newsletters, and chapter-level community engagement.

Name

Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario

Legal name

Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario

Website

https://ldao.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario is a 60-year-old registered charity that delivers evidence-informed education, advocacy, and support services across Ontario for individuals with learning disabilities and ADHD, via six sub-branded platforms serving educators, parents, adults, and workplaces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Advocacy and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Development for Educators (Dyslexia/LD Training) (EDAKAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Learning Support (Dyslexia/LD Coaching, Assistive Strategies) (EDAJALAJ), IEP/504 Planning & Advocacy for LD/Dyslexia (EDAKAJAI), Parent & Caregiver Training for LD/Dyslexia Support (EDAKAJAJ)

Keywords

• Special education resources
• Learning disabilities advocacy
• Professional development training
• Inclusive education support
• Online learning courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course and Workshop Fees: Revenue generated from online courses such as the Reading Course ($175 launch special), LDs and ADHD 101, and Partnering with Schools for Student Success (Full Course $350 with certificate, Self-Directed $250 without certificate). Professional development events like Educators' Institute ($150 early bird).
2. Event Registration: Revenue from professional learning events including Educators' Institute ($150) and Colloque ($150).
3. Donations: LDAO accepts donations through CanadaHelps and directly on their website. The organization is a registered charity with charitable registration number 124367145RR0001.
4. Resource Sales: Revenue from publications, resources, and materials sold through LD@shop platform.
5. Government Funding: Ministry-funded educator platforms (LD@school, TA@l'école) suggest government partnership funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LDAO delivers evidence-informed education, advocacy, and direct services for individuals with learning disabilities (LDs) and ADHD in Ontario. Its core offerings are organized across six digital platforms — LD@learning (online courses), LD@school and TA@l'école (English and French educator resources), LD@home (family/parent resources), LD@work (workplace inclusion resources), and LD@shop (resource sales) — supplemented by recurring virtual professional learning events (Educators' Institute, Colloque), consultations, webinars, and publications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LD@school: English-language resources and professional development platform for educators, offering evidence-informed instruction and inclusive classroom practice strategies.
• TA@l'école
• LD@home
• LD@work
• LD@learning
• LD@shop

Products and services

• LD@learning

Quantifiable outcome

• One in ten Canadians (4 million) live with a learning disability - LDAO serves as the primary Ontario resource

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024LDAO supports the Canadian Faces of Learning Disabilities (CFOLD) survey initiative led by LDAC. The survey provides data on lived experiences of individuals with learning disabilities in Canada related to mental health, workplace, and education.
• Child Development Institute (CDI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLDAO developed the 'Partnering with Schools for Student Success: Effective Parent Advocacy' course in partnership with the Child Development Institute (CDI). The course focuses on advocacy, understanding school systems, and practical strategies for navigating meetings, IEPs, and decision-making.
• Canadian Researchers (CFOLD Study)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CFOLD survey is led by a team of experienced Canadian researchers in partnership with LDAC volunteers, including co-chair Dr. Lauren Goegan (University of Manitoba).
• Claude Quevillon Lacasse (University of Ottawa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated since 2016 on a chronicle in Le Pollen digital journal, focused on using youth literature to teach grammar in French-language education.
• Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC), Queen's UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCandice Daiken and Gillian Goldsmith from RARC delivered the webinar on fostering self-advocacy skills in students with LDs and ADHD.
• LDA Chapters Across OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating LDA chapters collaborate on events like the 7th Annual LDA Parent Conference, bringing together expert presentations on advocacy, executive function, and inclusive classroom practices.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Understood.org: U.S.-based digital-first resource platform for LD and ADHD, offering educator toolkits, family resources, and workplace content. Directly comparable to LDAO's LD@school, LD@home, and LD@work offerings but delivered as a free, scalable digital platform.

Regional players

• Decoda Literacy Solutions: British Columbia-based literacy nonprofit delivering professional development, resources, and community programs. Comparable Canadian nonprofit literacy services operator with similar B2B educator training model and provincial scope.
• Integra Foundation: Canadian foundation supporting children with learning disabilities through accredited programs and a network of independent schools. Comparable Canadian LD-focused nonprofit with educator training and parent advocacy offerings.

Broad incumbents

• National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): U.S. nonprofit advocating for LD awareness, policy, and youth leadership. Mirrors LDAO's combination of advocacy, educator resources, and parent support, with a stronger national policy footprint.
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA): U.S.-based nonprofit focused on dyslexia evidence-based practice, educator training, and accreditation. Comparable to LDAO's professional development and resource library for LD/reading support, though narrower in scope.
• Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC): National affiliate of LDAO and the peak Canadian body for learning disabilities advocacy, research (CFOLD), and policy. Operates at the federal level across Canada, with overlapping mission and direct partnership through the CFOLD survey.
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): International professional association for special educators, including a CEC Ontario chapter that awarded LDAO's CEO the 2022 President's Award. Comparable as a provider of professional development, standards, and advocacy for educators serving students with LD/ADHD.

Direct peers

• CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD): U.S. nonprofit providing ADHD education, advocacy, and support for individuals, families, and educators. Directly comparable to LDAO's ADHD-focused courses, webinars, and family resources via LD@home and LD@learning.
• Child Development Institute (CDI): Toronto-based children's mental health and learning disability service provider, and LDAO's co-development partner on the Partnering with Schools for Student Success parent advocacy course. Comparable Ontario footprint and LD/ADHD service delivery.
• Canadian Centre for Dyslexia: Canadian organization providing assessments, tutoring, and training for dyslexia. Comparable niche focus on learning disabilities with a Canadian footprint and educator/parent training services similar to LDAO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learning-disabilities-association-of-ontario

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario