The high response rate to this survey questionnaire (88%) and the many comments made by practitioners are an indication of the needed development within the field of programming directed at adults with learning disabilities. Practitioners welcomed the idea of a pilot project that would take this research beyond the initial information-gathering stage and would actually follow through with developing programming that addressed their stated needs. All too often in the past practitioners have found that little has come of the research they provided input to.

From these research findings, LITERACYWORKS will develop and implement, in cooperation with other literacy programs, a learning disabilities focused literacy programming model based on the reported needs of practitioners.

This programming model will involve equipping practitioners with the means to identify students with learning disabilities and specialized learning strategies to practitioners, tutors and their learners with learning disabilities. It will also serve to increase communication between literacy programs throughout the province, which will undoubtedly result in a more unified approach for meeting the needs of adult learners with learning disabilities.

The findings of this research project have been inspiring. They highlight gaps in knowledge about adults with learning disabilities and the diagnostic screening/assessments process. Further research endeavors into these gaps could benefit these unique learners and enhance the abilities of professionals working with these individuals to promote learning success.