Learning Disabilities and the Disability Tax Credit

Are you or your child eligible for the Disability Tax Credit? In 1998, psychologists were added to medical doctors as professionals eligible to complete the Revenue Canada application Form T2201 for this tax saving program.

The relevant section for learning disabilities (ld) is Part B #4 - mental functions - and must show how ld markedly restricts daily living.

Send a copy of the psychologist's report(s) and other documentation from teachers, employers, etc. to Revenue Canada when you file for this credit.

And, remember, you can and should appeal if you are rejected. Write or phone the person who signed the rejection letter, advise that you will appeal and ask for the guidelines. Don't give up! It may be your job to educate the Revenue Canada employee about ld.

For 1999, the medical expense tax credit has been expanded to include tutoring costs. Expenses for talking textbooks are eligible when prescribed by a medical practitioner for students in school in Canada.

May is Hearing Month
and all of us should listen up! Hearing difficulties are an epidemic in the North. Often unidentified, they interfere with learning at home and at school.

What can be done in our schools to ensure that children hear as well as possible? How about an amplification system? There are great classroom and individual models available.

Traditionally, such systems were made available to people with significant hearing loss. Now, we know amplification benefits everyone in the classroom - those with mild, untreated or temporary hearing loss, those with attention difficulties and all students concentrating amid the usual shuffling and rattling of 30 or so people at work in a small space.

Teachers with amplification systems report increased attentiveness, greater participation and better understanding of directions by all students but especially those with ADD or ADHD. Students say they enjoy their lessons more and learn better. Students can use the system, too, when sharing with the class. No more little voices unable to be heard.

So, how does amplification work?

In both the classroom and individual systems, the teacher wears a small battery pack attached to a microphone. In the classroom system, the sound is transferred to an amplifier in the middle of the classroom. In the individual system, each student wears a tiny receiver and either one or two earphones.

Is it worth the bother and money? Just read what Nadine, an adult learner, has to say.