Network Viewpoint
NLS Report: Needs Assessment for an Electronic Infrastructure to Support the Canadian Literacy Community

The National Literacy Secretariat (NLS), following its "policy conversation" on how new technologies can promote literacy in Canada, contracted Consulting and Audit Canada to assess an electronic communications and information infrastructure for practitioners and organizations. The focus of this report is to determine the type of infrastructure needed to help practitioners and organizations communicate, and to provide ready access to the information they require to do a better job. The study looked at barriers to and requirements for an effective electronic network. Areas focused on included:

• Communication/ information needs and the support thereof urges open lines of communication, instructional design support, general research and reference, and new initiatives. Electronic infrastructure varies across Canada, from high technology to simple phone lines, often with inadequate training. The greatest need is knowing where to get information and about other similar groups.

• Obstacles to improved communications and information access deals with the major hurdles involved in making an electronic infrastructure more accessible. Since location, availability of phone lines, as well as funding, training and technical support, are the major barriers, 98% of the deterrents are financial.

• Opportunities to overcome obstacles and to meet the needs perceives the Internet, because of discussion groups, e-mail, documents, databases and file transfer, as the most promising communications medium. Opportunities for collaboration and funding support are noted, chiefly by NLS working with provinces and by collaboration between local literacy and community organizations.

• Strategic considerations notes that NLS is key to creating a national vision and to support from other sectors. A successful electronic network depends on a comprehensive communications strategy and user friendliness. The predominant concern, particularly of minorities, is fear of insufficient consultation about their unique needs.

Ontario systems such as AlphaCom (the Ontario Literacy Communications Network) and the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) have the most developed computer systems.

NALD maintains a bilingual Internet World Wide Web site which links to other sites and its own literacy database, including a list of 6000 contacts.

NALD's website and 1 800 number allow anyone to contact literacy organizations world-wide. There is strong support for easy access to communications and information and, the report says, associations such as NALD and AlphaCom can use the Internet to develop a Canada-wide electronic infrastructure. The main obstacles are lack of funds for computers and training, lack of awareness of the World Wide Web, and fear of technology. The report recommends further exploration into options such as financial assistance to literacy groups in acquisition and training, and support through local educational institutions.

* The full text of the CAC report is available on the National Literacy Secretariat's website at http://www.nald.ca/nls/tofc.htm.

Web Addresses of National and Provincial Literacy Coalitions
ABC Canada - www.abc-canada.org
Adult Basic Education Association of BC - www.nald.ca/abe.htm
Alberta Association for Adult Literacy - www.nald.ca/aaal.htm
Alberta Association for Continuing Education - www.nald.ca/aace.htm
Alpha Ontario - www.mtrl.toronto.on.ca/centres/alpha/
AlphaCom - infoweb.magi.com/~mkelly/index222.html
Antigonish County Adult Learning Association - www.nald.ca/acala.htm
Association of Canadian Community Colleges - www.accc.ca/
Centre for Literacy of Quebec (the) - www.nald.ca/litcent.htm
Fédération canadienne pour l'alphabétisation en français - www.franco.ca/alpha/index.htm
Frontier College - www.molson.com/corporate/frontier/index.htm
La Fédération d'alphabétisation du N-B - www.nald.ca/fed.htm
Laubach Literacy of Canada - www.nald.ca/llc.htm
Laubach Literacy of New Brunswick - www.nald.ca/llnb.htm
Learning Disabilities Assoc. of NB - www.nald.ca/ldanb.htm
Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador - www.nald.ca/nfldlit.htm
Literacy Partners of Quebec -www.nald.ca/lpq.htm
Literacy Coordinators of Alberta - www.nald.ca/lca.htm/
Literacy Partners of Manitoba - www.nald.ca/litpman.htm
Literacy BC - www.nald.ca/lbc.htm
Literacy NB Inc. - www.gov.nb.ca/ael/literacy/english/index.htm
Movement for Canadian Literacy - www.nald.ca/mcl/mcl.htm
NB Committee on Literacy - www.nald.ca/nbclhom.htm
NFLD and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council - www.nald.ca/nlllc.htm
Ontario Native Literacy Coalition - www.nald.ca/onlc.htm
PEI Literacy Alliance - www.nald.ca/peila.htm
Reclaim - www.nald.ca/reclhome.htm
Saskatchewan Literacy Network - www.nald.ca/sklitnet.htm
Westviking College of Applied Arts, Technology and Continuing Education - www.westvikingc.nf.ca