Putting a Canadian Face on Learning Disabilities (PACFOLD) uncovered compelling evidence of what our national network has witnessed anecdotally for decades - left undiagnosed, untreated and/or not accommodated, Canadians with LD are unable to reach their potential, resulting in high costs to the Canadian economy.

The solution does not rest solely with the education system. While recognizing that educat ional institutions have been the place where many Canadians with LD discover their disability and hope to find appropriate interventions and accommodations, it is necessary to look at other public policy areas for remedies to the lifelong challenges people with learning disabilities face. The solutions should be systemic, and involve publicly funded programs, such as social services, health, employment, literacy programs, federal income tax programs, and other areas.

• The following are recommendations coming from PACFOLD for Canadian governments at all levels:
• Invest in a universal researchbased, mandated early screening and intervention model for children 4 to 8 years of age that is designed to identify and assist children at risk for school failure. This would increase Canadian literacy rates, reduce health care costs, increase employment and income potential, and improve family life among Canadians with learning disabilities.
• Negotiate with the federal Council of Ministers of Health on the costs of the primary diagnosis of learning disabilities for Canadians with LD of all ages (children, youth, and adults), and to have support for people with LD publicly funded through provincial and territorial health insurance plans or some other public funding mechanism, as is the case for other disabilities.
• Implement national incentives for people with learning disabilities to access affordable assistive technology and increase the list of adaptive technology eligible under the Medical Expense Tax Credit of the Income Tax Act to include: computers, voice activated software, scanners and readers.
• Build awareness and training among medical, mental health and educational professionals of the coexistence of mental health disorders and learning disabilities in both children and adults. This would facilitate quicker identification and diagnosis of LD, and provide families with early support, understanding and resources to reduce the likelihood of developing more serious mental health disorders.