Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

The Need for Literacy

Literacy is a serious issue in Canada and in Ontario. The International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) was released in 2005. IALSS, along with previous surveys, clearly demonstrated that millions of Canadians struggle with literacy challenges. The Ontario statistics are equally alarming.

The Ontario Literacy Coalition (OLC) and the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network (CLLN) prepared the following analysis of Ontario’s results in “Responding to the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey” (See OLC’s and CLLN's websites for more information at: www.on.literacy.ca and www.literacy.ca).

Four in ten Ontarians aged 15 and over do not have the literacy skills they need to meet the demands of modern life. 1.3 million people (16.2%) struggle with very serious literacy challenges. They have difficulty with even the most basic written materials. Another 2.1 million people (26%) can work with print information but not well. A further 1.8 million (21.3%) working age Ontarians struggle with very serious numeracy challenges and they have difficulty with even the most basic math. Another 2.4 million people (29.1%) can work with numeracy but not well. Despite the need less than 5% participate in literacy programs.

You can learn more about the IALSS survey by visiting these links:

• www.literacy.ca/?q=literacy/literacyinformation#litstats
• www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051109/d051109a.htm
• www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/89-603-XIE/89-603-XIE2005001.htm

These statistics are not news to Ontario’s literacy practitioners because we work with these issues every day. However, the statistics can be a powerful recruitment tool. You can let potential learners know that literacy issues affect a lot of people and that they are not alone. Sometimes the “you’re not alone” factor can encourage people to enroll in literacy programs. The statistics are also a valuable resource for promoting literacy programming to the family and friends of potential learners, to local organizations and to the community in general.

When considering these statistics it is important to think about Statistics Canada’s definition of literacy as "the information processing skills necessary to use the printed material commonly encountered at work, at home, and in the community."

It is also critical to remember that literacy is no longer considered an all or nothing skills. We now know that literacy abilities exist along a continuum. ABC Life Literacy has prepared an excellent set of questions and answers addressing a number of literacy facts and misconceptions at http://abclifeliteracy.ca/en/literacyQ%2526A.

Adult Literacy Programming in Ontario

Here in Ontario, adult literacy organizations are funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). MTCU’s Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Program provides literacy, numeracy and essential skills services that help learners achieve their goals related to further education or training, employment or independence. LBS services are offered through almost 200 agencies at some 300 sites across the province. For more information please visit: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/literacy/main.html.

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