Illiteracy: A Hidden Problem

If you can read this, chances are you underestimate the problem of illiteracy and feel you don’t know how to help.
“Reading is the gateway to better jobs, higher pay, and a better quality of life,” says Marsha Tait, senior vice president of ProLiteracy Worldwide. “More importantly, it’s been shown that adults who can participate in their child’s own experiences with reading, writing, and learning are not only likely to raise children who will succeed in school, but who will also succeed in life.”

Recent studies have shown that more than 20 percent of adults, or one in five, read at or below a fifth grade level and are considered functionally illiterate, meaning these adults lack reading, speaking, writing and computational skills in everyday life situations.

However, according to a new survey, commissioned by Wal-Mart stores, Inc:

* Only half of Americans polled (50 percent) understand the extent of the illiteracy problem in the United States.

* Nearly three-fourths (72 percent) don’t know the name of a literacy organization which offers adults help locally.

* More than half of Americans (54 percent) feel they don’t have the time to help personally.

Helping an adult learn to read may not be as difficult or time consuming as it seems. There are more than 5,000 literacy organizations nationwide that provide one-on-one or small-group teaching, and many are free of charge.

Literacy helplines, such as the Wal-Mart Literacy Helpline, that refer callers to local literacy organizations are another great way to help. The Wal-Mart helpline (800-929-4458) is a one-stop call that helps those who want to learn to read, or want to volunteer to help. It is free, confidential, and is available to receive calls from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. CST, seven days a week.

To learn more about literacy awareness, a variety of ways to get involved, or how to help a friend get on the road to reading, visit www.walmartfoundation.org or www.proliteracy.org.