Literacy Activities Handbook - Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres

Self Esteem: Learners using computers may experience improved confidence and self-esteem. Using computers is an important modern day skill, and learners gain added skills in keyboarding and mouse usage.
Other Needs: With the computers, text can be enlarged to assist learners who have difficulties with their vision. Speech recognition software or touch screens can assist those with weak fine motor skills who are unable to type on a keyboard. Computers with an adaptive device such as a speech synthesiser would allow the non-verbal learner to "read" their compositions aloud.

Computer-assisted learning should always be an addition to, instead of a substitute for, the instruction of a tutor or teacher.
As much care should be taken when choosing appropriate software as when choosing appropriate reading materials. For example, software should be age appropriate, it should offer some challenges and it should teach skills that can be applied outside of the computer learning enviroment.

See the entry entitled "Parkland Society Adult Literacy Program a Great Success!" in the Readings section and the "Software" entry in the Bibliography section of this Handbook.

Adapted from:
Gerard Girodano. Literacy Programs for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc., 1996, pp. 83-103.

Karen B. Moni & Anne Jobling, "LATCH-ON: A Program to Develop Literacy in Young Adults with Down Syndrome," in Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Vol. 44, No. 2 (September 2000), p. 44.