The original term "print disability" by itself is not clearly understood. Something more descriptive was required.

Learning Disability or Perceptual Disability
What do they mean?

These terms both refer to a student who cannot effectively use conventional print reading materials. However, each term has its own unique description.

"Perceptual disability" means a disability that prevents or inhibits a person from reading or hearing a literary, musical, dramatic or artistic work in its original format, and includes such a disability resulting from an impairment relating to comprehension or the inability to hold or manipulate a book (excerpt from Copyright Act of Canada).

"Learning disability" means a disability due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors or injury that alters brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more processes related to learning (excerpt from Special Education Definitions 2002/2003). According to this definition adopted by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada on January 30, 2002, the term does not include a physical disability phrase similar to "the inability to hold or manipulate a book".

Even though "learning disability" is familiar to everyone, it was decided that "perceptual disability" was a more suitable term. For information on the Services for Students with Perceptual Disabilities, contact the Resource Coordinator at 780-427-5215.