The idea behind critical literacy is that someone can develop and use reading and writing in order to change the world around them. They can become empowered through acquiring and using literacy for purposes of self-advocacy and social action. A fuller definition follows:
"Critical literacy presumes the acquisition of functional literacy skills and constitutes the acquisition, by marginalized individuals and groups, of the means to communicate their experiences and interests in public discourse. Accordingly, literacy programs designed to facilitate the development of critical literacy concentrate on the importance of literacy for persons that are either socially and/or economically marginalized in society. This approach argues that it is disadvantageousness that engenders poor literacy skills and that literacy is necessary to enable such communities of people to both challenge society and empower themselves. This approach argues that prevailing standards of literacy are culturally insensitive. Accordingly, this approach argues that literacy skills development should begin with, and seek to validate, the stories, meanings and experiences of those individuals and groups that have been excluded from genuine participation in society. Clearly, this approach provides for the most demonstrative link between literacy and human rights."
Aleem
Lakhani
Aleem Lakhani, Literacy and Disability: A
New Relationship — Project Development Information (Part 2). Prepared
for Canadian Paraplegic Association, Neil Squire Foundation, Canadian Association
for Community Living, Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work, Canadian
National Institute for the Blind. Ottawa, ON: GAMMA RESEARCH GROUP, September
2, 1997.