About Adult Literacy

What is Literacy?

Literacy means different things to different people. For some, literacy means being able to function at work; for others, literacy is the ability to read instructions on a medicine bottle.

In a fast-paced world where information is often communicated through the written word, it may be difficult to believe many people don’t have the skills necessary to read and write well enough to apply for a job, write a grocery list, or read their children a bedtime story.

The term functional literacy means, “…the ability to understand and employ printed information in daily activities, at home, at work and in the community…to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential” (International Adult Literacy Survey, 1994).

We know that 42% of Canadians lack the reading skills they need to function in today’s knowledge-based economy. Adult problem-solving skills are below acceptable levels in 68.5% of our population, and 50% of Canadians need training to learn basic mathematics skills (Adult Literacy and Skills Survey 2003).

The Effect of Low Literacy

Literacy is strongly associated with one`s quality of life and overall well-being. Many people struggling with low literacy have issues with health, economics, employment stability, criminal activity, socialization and communication. Low literacy poses a long-term challenge to our health care system and defies easy resolution. The higher a nation's literacy skills, the more likely its population has healthier habits and lifestyles. Those with higher literacy skills tend to be more involved citizens who participate in their communities.

Literacy is also linked to economic success. Literacy levels determine the kind of jobs people find, the salaries they make and their ability to upgrade their work skills. Literacy also contributes to society's overall economic and social performance. In 1992, The National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO) found that people with literacy problems earn two-thirds the income of other adults. They are twice as likely to be unemployed and receiving social assistance. Adults with low literacy skills usually have the lowest-paying, least-secure positions.

Adult students also experience many barriers to acquiring literacy skills or taking advantage of educational opportunities. According to studies done by Correctional Services of Canada, approximately 65% of people entering the prison system for the first time are not functionally literate. Those who participate in a rehabilitation program that includes a literacy-upgrading component, show a 50% reduction in re-arrests.

Low literacy is an intergenerational problem. A child’s progress in school is clearly related to his or her parents’ literacy. Children raised in a literate household are likely to enter Grade 1 with several thousands of hours of critical, one-to-one pre-reading experiences behind them. In contrast, children raised in low literate homes enter school without being reading ready. In order for parents to be effective role models for their children, they require developed literacy skills.

Literacy in Ontario

Adult literacy is a serious issue in Ontario. The International Adult Literacy Survey found that 20% of adults in the province do not have basic skills and that an additional 24% would benefit from literacy upgrading.

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities supports the Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program. The LBS program facilitates the delivery of literacy instruction throughout Ontario to over 55,000 learners via community literacy agencies, school boards and colleges.

Quick Facts about Literacy in Canada

• 42% of adult Canadians fall below the reading skill level needed to thrive in today's society
• 50% of adult Canadians need training to learn the basic math skills they will use to lead productive lives
• 68.5% of adult Canadians need help to develop the problem-solving skills needed in today's workplace

These figures are based on the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) released in 2005 by Statistics Canada and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.