Confront learning disabilities at Kid Zone

Interactive and developmental learning activities and early childhood screenings for children ages 2-5 will highlight the Kid Zone at the 2015 Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii Traveling Mini-Conference from 3-7 p.m. Sept. 11 in Hilo.

The event at the Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art is free and open to all families in East Hawaii.

Registration is required and can be completed by calling the Learning Disabilities Association at 1-800-533-9684 or emailing Rosie Rowe, LDAH education and training coordinator, at rrowe@LDAHawaii.org.

The Traveling Mini-Conference is an opportunity for families to learn more about resources and services available to help their children with or at risk of disabilities.

Kid Zone will include age-appropriate activities and comprehensive childcare for siblings so parents of children with disabilities, students with disabilities and educators can attend informational sessions and workshops with specialists.

According to Michael K. Moore, executive director of LDAH, the mini-conference is designed to meet the specific needs of the local community.

The mini-conference, themed “Building Bridges, Not Walls,” will cover a wide range of topics, including: helping parents understand their child’s needs; building skills to enable parents to effectively participate in the planning process for their children; improving parents’ understanding of their rights and protections under the law; and building partnerships between parents, family members, professionals, schools and community providers.

Moore said LDAH is the only agency in the state providing technical assistance, training, mentoring and advocacy to assist parents as they help their children with disabilities learn and thrive within Hawaii’s public special education system.

“We are grateful for the support of Hawaiian Electric to bring the resources of LDAH to families in the Hilo area,” Moore said.

For more information, visit the LDAH website at www.ldahawaii.org.