Congratulations to the Neil Squire Foundation, and to Wayne Kingston, for winning two of Canada Post's 1996 Flight for Freedom Awards. The national literacy awards "honour the contributions of businesses, literacy organizations, teachers, and individuals to the cause of literacy in Canada." This year's awards were presented by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc at a ceremony in Quebec City on September 9, 1996.

The Neil Squire Foundation wins the Governor General's Flight for Freedom Award for developing the Speech Assisted Reading and Writing (SARAW) program.

SARAW is a computer-assisted literacy program developed in B.C. for adults with physical disabilities. The talking computer program gives physically disabled adults who cannot use a standard keyboard the chance to learn basic reading and writing skills. More than 200 literacy and community groups in Canada use the SARAW system. The SARAW literacy software was developed by Don Bentley of Neil Squire Foundation and Pat Hodgson of Capilano College.

The Neil Squire Foundation, a national non-profit organization based in Vancouver, creates learning opportunities for individuals who have significant physical disabilities by developing innovative services and technologies to meet their needs.

Wayne Kingston wins an Individual Achievement Award for developing his literacy skills and his work "as a tireless advocate for a more literate Canada."

Wayne Kingston of Nanaimo returned to school in 1989 after an aptitude test at work revealed his secret: he couldn't read. Since then, Wayne has learned to read and has made significant contributions to the cause of adult literacy in B.C.

In 1990 Wayne organized the first Provincial Learner's Conference in B.C. and founded B.C.'s first provincial learner's organization, Adult Literacy Learners on the Way. In addition, Wayne was a founding Board member of Literacy B.C.

Wayne recently returned to Malaspina University College where he continues to improve his literacy skills. He also continues to speak out about literacy and to encourage other learners to come forward. He has written letters about literacy to heads of state and corporations all over the world and is currently writing a book about his life.