According to a 1993 report from the National Center for Educational Statistics, nearly 25 percent of U.S. adults have severe reading problems. Of that group, immigrants accounted for 25 percent. Sixty-six percent had not finished basic education courses, and nearly 50 percent had cognitive, learning, visual or health problems that interfered with learning.
Adult programs should be carefully matched with students to meet individual needs, whether that is English as a second language, assistance with dyslexia or other learning disability, specialized teaching for cognitive challenges, or accommodation and adaptations to assist with visual problems.
Adult programs should boost literacy skills while improving life skills in practical ways. Adult students can set their own goals and direct their learning down paths that meet their needs. Teachers and tutors must treat adult students as equals and be very careful to build self-esteem and confidence.
According to the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) of Ireland, improvement of a population's overall literacy achievement translates to significant gains in the country's Gross Domestic Product and personal income. Boosting literacy also improves adults' self-care skills and ability to manage the day-to-day complexities of life.
Adults struggle with literacy issues for many reasons. However, even in the face of documented income differences and improvements to health and well being, many adults do not take advantage of literacy development programs available to them. Some lack the skills or time to find an agency qualified to help them. Others have transportation or scheduling issues. Still others are so discouraged by previous educational experiences that they mistakenly believe their skills cannot be improved.
Adult literacy education is quite different than what most people recall from reading classes in elementary school. New techniques and advances in the teaching of reading skills to persons with learning disabilities are available. Programs such as the Wilson Reading System and curriculum from New Readers' Press are designed for adult learners and take advantage of these newer teaching techniques. Adult students are encouraged to set goals and take the most efficient educational path to reach them. Program tutors are generally trained to bolster confidence, build self-esteem and meet the needs of adults. Everyone deserves a chance to become literate, and everyone has potential to improve his reading skills.
Many communities have locally based literacy programs that offer classes or one-on-one tutoring for literacy development. One of the largest networks in the United States is ProLiteracy. This organization offers literacy materials, training and support to local agencies.