Literacy Awareness (cont'd)

Awareness of literacy in Canada In 1999, 31% of Canadians said they had heard "a lot" about the issue of literacy in Canada, compared to 26% in 1990. This finding can be reported as: a five percent point increase; a 23% overall increase; 1.25 million more Canadians said... Detailed comparison findings show: 46% more young adults (18 - 24) have heard "a lot about literacy; 13% more older persons (+65) than younger persons (18 - 24) have heard "a lot about literacy; 36% fewer people said that they have heard "nothing at all" about literacy since the 1993 survey; 12% of people with the least amount of formal education (some or less than high school) said that they have heard "nothing at all" about literacy issues.

Describing literacy as a problem In 1999, 35% of Canadians said that the issue of literacy was "a very serious problem," compared to 29% in 1990. This finding can be reported as: a six percent point increase; a 25% overall increase; 1.5 million more Canadians said... Detailed comparison findings show: 20% more people in the lowest income bracket (under $20K) than those in the highest income bracket ($70K) felt that literacy is "a very serious problem"; those with the lowest income (under $20K) and with the least formal education (some or less than high school) are the most aware that low literacy levels pose serious problems, yet they report hearing the least about literacy issues; older persons (65+) were much more likely than younger persons (18 - 24) to respond that they did not know where to look for help in the Yellow PagesTM; unemployed people were nearly 10% more likely than employed people to respond that they did not know where to look for help with basic literacy skills.

How much of a problem is inadequate reading and writing in the workplace? In 1999, 32% of Canadians felt that inadequate reading and writing skills are 'a very serious problem in the workplace," compared to 24% in 1990. This finding can be reported as: an eight percent point increase; a 37% overall increase; 1.8 million more Canadians said... Detailed comparison findings show: 20% more people in the lowest income bracket (under $20K) felt that inadequate reading and writing skills are "a very serious problem in the workplace." 24% more people with the least formal education (some or less than high school) than those with the highest level of education (university) felt that inadequate literacy skills are "a very serious problem in the workplace."

Literacy in the workplace was also seen as a problem. As computerization of the workplace continues, the issue is not simply that people need to have high workplace literacy skills. Rather, it will be essential to make literacy training easily accessible and acceptable — or risk being left in the wake of technological change. Featherstone hopes that as awareness of the issue increases, more people

Still there is work to be done. As Featherstone says, “although there has been an increase in awareness, few Canadians will spontaneously identify literacy as the social or economic issue that most concerns them.” Until that happens, there are bound to be reasons why we are unable to completely address the underlying causes.

will seek out programs to improve their literacy skills. “In the past, if a person had difficulty with reading and writing, they were likely to feel ashamed and disinclined to join a literacy program. There was a stigma attached to illiteracy. But as recognition of the cause increases, it takes literacy out of the closet and makes it much more acceptable for people to be open about their need for improved reading and writing skills.”