Interview with Anne Ford

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Melinda Pongrey speaks with Anne Ford and John-Richard Thompson about living with and advocating for children who have learning disabilities. Anne Ford served as Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001, and is currently Chairman Emeritus. As with many parents, her interest in the subject was greatly heightened when her daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability. During her term as Chair, Ms. Ford has led the organization and broad expansion of NCLD, including establishing a Washington, D.C. office, presenting educational summits on learning disabilities in several regions of the United States, and effectively collaborating with national service organizations outside of the learning disabilities field, representing issues including literacy, school dropout, cultural diversity, and early childhood development (Head Start).

In 1994, Ms. Ford was appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services, Commission on Childhood Disabilities, as the representative for learning disabilities.

Ms. Ford was also a member of the New York State Board of Regents Select Committee on Disabilities. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America; the Board of Women's Committee of the Central Park Conservancy; and the Board of The Riverview School in East Sandwich, Massachusetts.

In May 1999, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine presented Ms. Ford with the Lizette H. Sarnoff Award for Volunteer Service. In 2001, she was honored by the Lenox Hill Hospital's Center for Attention and Learning Disorders for her many years as a leader in the field of learning disabilities. In 2002 she received a volunteer service award from the Connecticut Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (CACLD).

Her story has been featured in Newsweek and Newsday and on ABC, Lifetime, the Oxygen Network, and more. She lives in New York City. Her daughter, Allegra Ford, is now 30 years old and lives in upstate New York.