ERIC ED350419: A National Literacy Strategy for Older Canadians.

57 Pages·1991·1.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
CE 062 099
ED 350 419
TITLE
A National Literacy Strategy for Older Canadians.
INSTITUTION
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network, Inc., Ottawa
(Ontario).
SPONS AGENCY
National Literacy Secretariat, Ottawa (Ontario).;
Ontario Dept. of Education, Toronto.; Ontario Office
for Senior Citizens' Affairs, Toronto.
REPORT NO
ISBN-1-895295-17-3
PUB DATE
91
NOTE
57p.; For a related document, see CE 062 100.
AVAILABLE FROM
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network, 901-350
Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8, Canada ($10;
$8 members).
PUB TYPE
Viewpoints (Opinion/Position Papers, Essays, etc.)
(120)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Adult Literacy; *Educational Needs; Educational
Policy; Foreign Countries; *Literacy Education;
Middle Aged Adults; *Older. Adults; *Policy Formation;
Program Design; *Public Policy
IDENTIFIERS
*Canada; One Voice The Canadian Seniors Network
ABSTRACT
A national strategy to provide literacy education for
all older Canadians who need it is described in this document.
Developed in response to a 1989 survey finding that 64 percent of
Canadians aged 55-69 experience some degree of trouble with everyday
reading material, the strategy includes a rationale, objectives, and
a 3-year start-up plan to develop the commitment, the tools, and the
impetus to work toward the achievement of the goal of "a society
where low literacy is not a barrier to full participation of
seniors." The five chapters are as follows: (1) an introduction to
(2) background information on literacy and seniors;
the problems;
(3)
a rationale, guiding principles, and methods;
(4) a 3-year start-up
plan; and (5) and a conclusion calling for One Voice to take the lead
in promoting literacy for older Canadians. Five appendixes list task
force members, provide draft terms of reference for the proposed
coalition and the secretariat, outline the elements of an awareness
plan, list task force recommendations, and list publications on older
adult literacy. (KC)
7
*
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
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A National
Literacy Strategy for
Older Canadians
"Learning is the only
viable response to change."
One Voice
The Canadian Seniors Network
5
One Voice Mission Statement
National Literacy Strategy for Older Canadians
A
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network,
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network
promotes the enhancement of the status and
Ottawa, Canada, 1991
independence of older Canadians. One Voice
advocates policies and programs to improve the
ISBN 1-895295-17-3
well-being of Canadian seniors and encourages
Aussi disponible en francais sous le titre
and enables their full and active participation in
decisions affecting their lives. One Voice is a
La strategic nationale d'alphabetisation pour
non-partisan, voluntary, not-for-profit organiza-
les Canadiens ages
tion providing leadership and working in part-
nership and consultation with others.
Additional copies of this report are available
for $10 (S8 for members of One Voice) from:
Adopted by the Board of Directors of
One Voice
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network
13 October 1989
901-350 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON
K1R 7S8
[phone]
[phone] (FAX)
© Copyright 1991 One Voice
Seniors Network (Canada) Inc.
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
Aitkens, Andrew
A national literacy strategy for older Canadians
Issued also in French under title:
La strategic
nationale d'alphabetisation pour les Canadiens ages.
Written by Andrew Aitkens
ISBN 1-895295-17-3
Canada. 2. Aged -Education
1. Literacy programs
I. One Voice, the Canadian Seniors
Canada.
Network. II. Title.
374'.012 C91-090235-6
LC154.A64 1991
Table of Contents
2
Acknowledgements
3
Foreword
4
Executive Summary
6
Introduction
1
8
2
Background
8
What is literacy?
8
Measuring literacy
11
Historical perspectives
12
Other factors
12
How literacy affects older adults today
14
Seniors and literacy programs
14
Alternative forms of literacy
15
Trends to the future
16
The choice
17
A Rationale: Literacy for Canada and older Canadians
3
17
Guiding principles
19
The Cedar Glen Declaration
19
Defining a goal
20
Methods
20
Moving to action
21
A Three-year Start-up Plan
4
21
1. Overview
23
2. The Canadian Coalition for Older Adult Literacy
24
3. Partners
27
4. Activities
27
Year 1
32
Year 2
35
Year 3
38
5. Concluding remarks
39
Conclusion
5
Appendices
41
Medicine Hat Task For-e members
A
Draft Terms of Reference for the Coalition
B
44
and the Secretariat
45
Outline of elements for an Awareness Plan
C
47
Task Force issues report and recommendations
D
53
One Voice publications on older adult literacy
E
Acknowledgements
ne Voice expresses its
literacy Project Officer; and Ivan Hale, Na-
tional Secretary of One Voice. A small but
appreciation to the many
passionate sub-group of the Medicine Hat
individuals and organizations who have con-
Task Force provided a focus on the Strategy
tributed to the development of this
National
as it will apply to francophones.
Literacy Strategy for Older Canadians.
Our confidence in the Strategy's poten-
From our first work in the field
tial to have a real impact on low literacy
a literature review (conducted by Jane
among seniors comes from the fact that
Rutherford) and field research (Rhea
most of the organizations who can do some-
to our 'think tank' Medicine Hat
Shulman)
thing to help were involved right from the
Task Force (whose members are listed in the
start in developing the plan. Their participa-
Appendix), One Voice has benefited from
tion and contribution have ensured that the
the time and talents of specialists in
Strategy is realistic and 'do-able', and we are
a wide range of subject areas. Researchers,
certain that the spirit of cooperation and col-
literacy trainers, statisticians, policy ana-
lysts, seniors, professionals working with laboration that we saw at every meeting will
seniors, educators and many more have lead to commitment and action as the Strat-
given their best advice on understanding the
egy is implemented.
problem of low literacy among older adults
As this document was prepared, ad-
vanced copies were circulated to organiza-
and how to fix it.
tions involved in the development or
The project was funded by the National
implementation of the Strategy. Enthusiastic
Literacy Secretariat of the Department of the
endorsements came from Task Force mem-
Secretary of State of Canada, with contribu-
tions from the Government of Ontario's Min-
bers and the many provincial seniors organi-
zations making up the One Voice network,
istry of Education and Office for Senior
as well as the international offices of Unesco
Citizens' Affairs. One Voice was able to pro-
vide its contribution through the generosity
and the Canadian Commission for Unesco,
the Canadian Organization for Development
of the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family
through Education, The Royal Canadian Le-
Foundation.
The Strategy was written by Andrew
gion, Federal Superannuates National Asso-
Aitkens, Director of Research and Communi-
ciation, Elderhostel Canada, Frontier College,
cations of One Voice. Special advice and
the Centre for the Study of Adult Literacy,
ideas came from Professor Stan Jones of
Laubach Literacy of Canada, and many mem-
bers of the literacy community. Letters of
Carleton University; Dick Weiler, a policy
support continued to arrive even as we went
specialist working with the National Literacy
Secretariat; Sylvie Deliencourt, One Voice's
to press.
6
2
Foreword
ties, both as individuals and as a force
/n today's complex information age,
Canadians who can't read are at a
in our society.
This National Literacy Strategy for
serious disadvantage; and those who are
Older Canadians is built upon the Unesco
aging may actually be at risk in our com-
philosophy that everyone, regardless of
munities. Taking medication, responding
age, has the right to a basic education.
to an emergency, managing a tight budget
That includes literacy. The Strategy is also
these all require a degree of skill in
a model of partnership and collaboration.
reading and calculating. Yet the figures
Seniors have much to give our society.
from Statistics Canada's Survey of Literacy
As One Voice developed this Strategy for
Skills Used in Daily Activities show that a
action, it became clear that seniors are
shocking 64% of Canadians aged 55-69
anxious to become a major part of the
experience some degree of trouble with
solution. Many older people are already
everyday reading demands.
volunteers in literacy tutoring programs,
Low literacy prevents seniors from
and many more could get involved. They
taking an active role in the social and
are more than willing to share their experi-
political life of their community and their
ence and wisdom with all generations of
country. In fact, without the ability to read
or write, seniors are prevented from taking
Canadians.
I am convinced that improving literacy
full control of their own lives. They face
for seniors will open a doorway through
isolation and loss of independence. As a
which the light of Canada's heritage can
society, these are outcomes we neither
shine.
want nor can afford.
As a national organization and net-
work of seniors groups across Canada, One
Voice is dedicated to promoting the active
B-6-.,.%) L.._1__b-1--..
and direct participation of older Canadians
in matters and decisions which affect
them. We view literacy as a tool which can
empower seniors and give them a voice;
Jean Woodsworth
President
without it, they stand to lose opportuni-
o
7
3
Executive Summary
risk in their daily lives and maintain their
tatistics Canada's Survey of
independence.
Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activi-
Research has shown that older people
ties, conducted in 1989, revealed that a
may.lose literacy skills over time if they are
shocking 64% of Canadiuis aged 55-69 expe-
not used; however, skills can be maintained
rience some degree of trouble with everyday
with regular practice, they can be upgraded,
reading material. This is largely because his-
and new skills can be learned. The ability
torical events, such as the Depression and the
to learn does not decline with age.
War, interrupted normal schooling, which in
We have also learned that almost no
itself was not as highly valued or needed as it
seniors are taking literacy courses. Reasons
is today. Language and literacy training were
for this include their embarrassment about
not widely available for immigrants at that
being illiterate, lack of literacy programs
time. A whole generation of Canadians
suited to seniors' interests or learning
missed the opportunity to acquire or improve
styles, and a sense that literacy skills are
these important skills.
not necessary.
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Net-
Over two million older Canadians are
reading,
work, believes that literacy skills
illiterate. The extreme seriousness of the
are central to the
writing and calculating
problem calls for a major, sustained initia-
full and active participation of older Canadi-
tive, coordinated nationally. In this docu-
ans in our society. Without these skills, indi-
ment, One Voice presents a rationale for
viduals lose the rights and responsibilities of
improving seniors' literacy based on five
their role in society. For the group aged 55-
guiding principles.
69, who are now entering or approaching
their retirement years, the problems that can
1 Being or becoming literate is a basic hu-
ill health, disability, de-
come with aging
man rights entitlement throughout the
will be all the more
clining income, etc.
lifespan of all Canadians, and is often
hazardous without the ability to read and
a determining factor in gaining access
understand medication labels, manage a tight
to benefits to which an individual is
budget, arrange for support services, cope
entitled.
with emergencies, etc. Simply put, older
2 Literacy is a basic skill for effective par-
Canadians need to be literate to minimize
ticipation in Canada's democratic society.
O
4
Start-up Plan, which follows a process of
3 No Canadian should be discriminated
organization, set-up and implementation.
against on the basis of literacy level. For
During the first year, the Coalition is
those with low literacy skills, supports
established and work begins immediately on
should be available to compensate.
the development of programming. Year 2, the
4 Canadians have a collective responsibility
set-up year, is devoted to increasing program
to recognize and respect the linguistic
development and designing the appropriate
and cultural diversity of our nation in our
delivery mechanisms, as well as planning a
approach to literacy issues and programs.
promotion scheme; then, in the third year,
5 Literacy levels within our population
the Plan moves into the main thrust of the
have important economic costs and ben-
awareness campaign to promote uptake of
efits both to individuals and to Canadian
the programs.
society as a whole. Literacy is central to
The reasoning for this approach stems
the maintenance of Canada's society,
from the research which tells us that existing
economy and culture.
literacy programming is, to a large extent,
In moving to action, the document
both inadequate and unsuitable for seniors,
establishes a goal to aim for and two ways
and that training for support providers is
of achieving it.
equally lacking. Special attention is needed
Goal: a society where low literacy is not
for some populations, such as francophones
a barrier to full participation of seniors.
and ethnic groups. To cope with this reality,
Objective: to raise literacy levels among
it is necessary to create a reasonable "supply"
older Canadians, primarily by increasing
of programs over the first two years before
literacy training among seniors.
creating the "demand" in Year 3.
Objective: to create a supportive sys-
Evaluation will be on-going throughout
tem in our communities to sustain seniors
the three years, to assess the impact of the
who, for whatever reason, are not literate.
Plan and a'so the effectiveness of the Coali-
To accomplish these tasks, One Voice
tion as a coordinating body. In addition, the
has recommended the formation of a Cana-
Plan calls for preparation for the long term
dian Coalition for Older Adult Literacy.
planning further action and developing an
This body will be composed of some thirty
ongoing funding strategy.
individuals representing the key players or
It is extremely unlikely that at the end
`stakeholders' in the issue. The partners in-
of three years the Coalition will have reached
clude seniors, the literacy community, learn-
the objectives of the Strategy; it would be
ers, researchers, the education sector,
realistic to allow a ten or twenty year time
governments (federal, provincial and munici-
frame to attain the desired results. Neverthe-
pal), labour and special interest groups, the
less, the Three-year Start-up Plan will provide
corporate sector, professionals, the media,
an underlying commitment, the tools and the
the publishing and book trade, communities,
impetus to carry forward for many years to-
and the retail and service sectors. Core fund-
wards the achievement of our goal: a society
ing for the Coalition and its secretariat will be
where the barriers of low literacy are over-
sought from the National Literacy Secretariat
come to permit all Canadians to grow older
and other appropriate sources.
enjoying full participation, greater personal
The Coalition will guide the implementa-
fulfillment, economic independence, safety
tion of the Strategy through a Three-year
and security, and a high quality of life.
9
5
aenrit.L.-
Introduction
/n preparation for International
hazardous without the ability to read and
Literacy Year, 1990, Statistics Canada
understand medication labels, manage a tight
conducted a Survey of Literacy Skills Used in
budget, arrange for support services, cope
Daily Activities for the National Literacy Sec-
with emergencies, etc. Simply put, older
retariat, Department of the Secretary of State
Canadians need to be literate to maintain
of Canada. The data revealed that a shocking
their independence.
64% of Canadians aged 55-69 experience
The economic costs alone of having an
some degree of trouble with everyday read-
illiterate older population is sufficient cause
ing material (see Chart 1 for details). This is
for action.
in direct contrast to the total population,
In April, 1990, One Voice held a na-
for whom the corresponding figure is 37%.
That's
tional conference entitled Learning
While the survey failed to measure those
Life! in Ottawa to bring together representa-
over seventy years of age, it is believed that
tives of the literacy community and seniors.
their literacy skills are as poor.
Over the course of three days, delegates
One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Net-
learned of the dimensions and implications
work, believes that literacy skills
reading,
of illiteracy among older Canadians and con-
are central to the
writing and calculating
cluded that there was an urgent need for a
full and active participation of older Canadi-
National Literacy Strategy for Older Canadi-
ans in our society. Without these skills, indi-
ans. They examined some innovative pro-
viduals lose the rights and responsibilities of
grams currently in operation, and developed
their role in society. For the group aged 55-
a series of recommendations for a strategy.
69, who are now entering or approaching
The Conference Report, a companion piece
their retirement years, the problems that can
t.) this document, offers a comprehensive
ill health, disability, de-
come with aging
d scussion of the issue and summarizes
clining income, etc.
will be all the more
the findings and recommendations.
to
1