National Adult Literacy Database

Lessons in Learning - October 7, 2009

Series: Lessons in Learning

Authors: Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)

Collection: Research Materials

The authors of this document note that individuals with disabilities often encounter barriers to education, impeding the development of their literacy skills. That, in turn, hurts their job prospects.

In 2008, the Independent Living Resource Centre in Halifax, N.S., carried out a project looking at barriers to learning for people with disabilities living the Atlantic Provinces. The study was funded by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) through its Adult Learning Knowledge Centre (ALKC).

According to the study, the main barriers encountered by learners with disabilities were physical accessibility, financial issues, and attitudes.

In this document, the authors look at the lessons that can be learned from that project. They conclude that as Canadians with disabilities are more likely than their non-disabled counterparts to be without a high-school diploma, they are likely to derive the greatest benefits from investments in their education and training. Efforts to overcome the barriers to learning and, ultimately, improve labour-force participation promise to yield economic, social and equity benefits.

Added: 2011-09-30

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See also:

• Stratégies pour surmonter les obstacles à la formation et à l'éducation des Canadiens présentant un handicap

Research Results

Authors: Cheryl Nicholson, Shirley Stone, Lorraine Kaczor

Collection: Research Materials

This report has been prepared for distribution to all participating program practitioners. We anticipate that these research findings will promote a better understanding within the literacy community of the common struggles practitioners face when working with adults who have learning disabilities and hope it will lead to increased knowledge of the most effective resources and approaches for teaching these learners.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2006-07-14

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Authors: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Collection: Learning Materials

This video, prepared by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), features a young woman who enters the workforce at the age of 27 after taking part in a program designed to help young people, ages 15 to 30, who have disabilities or face barriers to employment.

She took part in the federally-funded Skills Link program, offered through the Digby Disabilities Partnership Committee (DDPC) in Nova Scotia. Upon completion of the program, participants can work for an employer in the region with whom the DDPC has established a partnership.

Before enrolling in the program, she spent most of her time watching television. Since completing it, she has worked at a major department store and enjoys a full, rewarding life.

The Skills Link program is an initiative involving a number of federal departments and agencies, and is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy.

Added: 2012-12-12

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See also:

• Un jumelage réussi [Vidéo - 1:11]

Literacy and Disabilities Study (LaDS)

Series: Literacy and Disabilities Study (LaDS)

Authors: Audrey Gardner

Collection: Research Materials

The Literacy and Disabilities Study (LaDS) project conducted a survey of literacy and other community programs in Canada that use the Speech Assisted Reading and Writing (SARAW) computer program with adults with disabilities.

The purpose of the survey was to learn about different delivery models and educational settings where adults with
disabilities use SARAW to help them develop and strengthen reading and writing skills.

The programs in this survey, that use SARAW, are mostly community-based adult
literacy programs. A few other programs provide support, outreach or residence for people with disabilities.

This report documents the methodology, findings and recommendations from the
SARAW survey, which consisted of face-to-face and phone interviews with learners, tutors, instructors and coordinators in programs that use SARAW. The report also
includes case studies of two programs.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2006-02-20

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Authors: Advisory Committee on Campus and Program Accessibility by the Disabled

Collection: Research Materials

This guidebook sums up many of the instructional strategies and accommodations for students who have disabilities which are already being implemented by professors and instructors at Brock University. The university's Special Needs Unit and the Advisory Committee on Campus and Program Accessibility by the Disabled has compiled them as a reference so that the common body of information in this area can be shared and advanced. This document is called a guidebook since it is recognized that each situation is unique, just as each person with a disability is an individual with his/her own requirements. Thus, any adaptations must be tailored to the individual and the specific situation.

Added: 1997-10-26

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Series: Overcoming the Hurdles

Authors: Regina Community Clinic

Collection: Research Materials

This manual grew out of a project carried out by the Regina Community Clinic in Saskatchewan, with funding from Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES). Its intended audience is the community at large, community organizations, and medical and other professionals who provide services for adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a brain injury that occurs during pregnancy.

Most pages of the document include a narrative portion on the right side of the page, describing some of the challenges faced throughout the project. Sidebars on the left side of the page feature solution-focused tips the authors hope will help others who undertake similar programs.

For instance, the project included finding work placements for the participants. The authors describe the experience in general terms, then focus on key suggestions that emerged, including preparing potential employers through information sessions on FASD and being realistic with employers about the limitations of participants.

The manual also contains suggestions for developing a good classroom environment and adjusting the pace of instruction to meet participants’ needs.

Added: 2011-09-16

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Women's Education des femmes, Winter 1992-93 - Vol. 10, No. 1

Series: Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women (CCLOW)

Authors: Maria Barile

Collection: Research Materials

In this article, the author discusses violence against members of oppressed groups such as women with physical, intellectual, and/or psychiatric disabilities, women of color, older women, or women from minority ethnic backgrounds. She talks about how denying that violence against women with disabilities exists perpetuates the violence.

Added: 2004-09-09

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Summary

Authors: Anne-Marie Parisot, Suzanne Villeneuve, Daniel Daigle, Anne Missud

Collection: Research Materials

This is the abstract of a report on the state of visual interpretation training in the province of Quebec, released in 2008. The full report is available in French only.

Visual interpretation training is a complex process, as interpreters must be prepared to work in a wide range of settings and deal with a variety of interpretation tools, including sign language and transliteration.

Because of the diversity of training programs, a working group was formed in 2005 to study visual interpretation training in Quebec.

Researchers surveyed all 263 interpreters in Quebec to determine their needs and perceptions towards visual interpretation training. The information collected is analyzed in terms of demographic data; characteristics of the job; perceptions on the received and desired training with regard to the structure and content level; and the process of professional evaluation.

They also reviewed the literature about aspects of the profession likely to have an impact on the training of visual interpreters in terms of content or structure, and examined training programs in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Funders:

• Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)

Added: 2012-11-22

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See also:

• L'interprétation visuelle auprès d'une clientèle sourde : Portrait d'une profession et état de la situation sur les besoins en formation

Helping Adults with FASD

Series: Literacy Kit for Adults with FASD

Authors: Regina Community Clinic

Collection: Learning Materials

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a brain injury that occurs during pregnancy, is one of the most common disabilities in today’s world. The goals of this guide are to help employers begin to understand FASD; to help reduce the stigma of FASD; and to suggest practical strategies to help adults with FASD succeed in the workplace.

The authors begin by exploring the facts and the myths about FASD, then go on to discuss strategies for helping someone with FASD get and keep a job. Some of the topics covered are the importance of clear language in the workplace; support and training in the workplace; job coaching and mentoring; and job carving, which involves taking certain duties from a number of jobs and combining them into a new position that an employee with FASD can handle.

The document also includes three sample case histories; a sample job application and interview questions; and suggestions for further reading.

A CD that accompanies the guide contains PowerPoint presentations on building diversity; understanding processing disabilities; and the importance of plain language.

Added: 2011-10-14

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Women's Education des femmes, Summer 1996 - Vol. 12, No. 2

Series: Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women (CCLOW)

Authors: L.C. D. Marco

Collection: Research Materials

In this article, the author talks about her visual impairment, and the struggles faced by disabled women.

Added: 2004-09-09

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