Noble Deeds for Literacy Enhancement

Broader Context Definition of Literacy

Literacy is most commonly defined as the ability to read and write.   In a broader context a more complete definition is:

Literacy is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.

We should all be fortunate to have the ability to use and understand information that is fundamental to daily life at work, at home, and in the community.  Yet, we do not.  Statistics indicate that more than 25% of Canadians do not have the literacy skills required to fully participate in today’s knowledge-based economy;  

Literacy Skills many of us take for Granted:  

• Prose literacy: the knowledge and skills needed to understand and use information from texts
  
  
• Document literacy: the knowledge and skills needed to find and use information in various formats, like schedules, maps, tables, and charts
  
  
• Numeracy: the knowledge and skills needed to do arithmetic and understand numbers in printed materials
  
  
• Problem solving: the process of solving problems by using goal-directed thinking and action, when the person does not have a routine to follow

That means your neighbor, coworker or even a family member may not be able to read a newspaper, calculate a tip, or understand credit card interest rates.  That means there is a mismatch between the skills that employers need and the skills that workers have.  

What can we do to Help and Support Others

Just a kind word of encouragement, a small gesture of support, one hour out of one day, one decision is all it would take to make a difference in someone's future.

There are several ways we can help adults enhance their job skills, computer skills or literacy skills.

1. Awareness is the vital first step toward improving adult literacy in your community. Remind yourself that many adults cannot read well. 
2. Tell others and share ideas for helping those who need it.
3. Be Sensitive. When you become aware that someone has difficulty reading or writing be helpful and sensitive to their situation. Should an opportunity present itself tell this person about your local Literacy Council or workplace literacy program. "They teach adults to read; it's confidential, and it should be free!"
4. Respect their privacy and confidentiality.

Little Things Make a Difference

Choose One Little Thing and You Will Make a Difference:

• Take an extra minute to give another person your words of encouragement.
• Praise someone for an accomplishment, or acknowledge a task done well.
• Help others to learn something new every day.
• Teach someone a new skill – adults who can read and write want to learn new skills.
• Share your knowledge, passion for a subject, or experiences.
• Invite a literacy council representative to speak at your church, community group or workplace.
• Encourage your co-workers, church, or community group to raise funds for local literacy projects.
• Loonies and Toonies do help - take up a collection at work and donate it to a local literacy project.
• Make a tax-deductible financial contribution to literacy.
• Share your books or educational materials.
• Take another person to the library when you go.
• Give an adult a ride to take tutoring or to the library.
• Make a donation to literacy in the name of a loved one who has passed away.
• Help someone take the all important first step of contacting a literacy tutor.
• Use positive and caring language to help direct an adult toward more education.
• Suggest ways that your employer can empower employees through extra training or incentives to advance educational pursuits.
• Join with friends, co-workers, or a community organization to collectively sponsor an adult to graduate high school.
• Create and share new ideas and let others run with them.
• Let community leaders and government representatives know that you expect action and change.