Coralea Propp, Functional Academic Coordinator / Volunteer Coordinator at Cosmopolitan Industries in Saskatoon wrote the following article for Update, the regular publication of the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC). The article discusses that agency’s project, funded by the National Literacy Secretariat, to help participants with intellectual / developmental disabilities to increase their workplace literacy skills. Lou Bakota is the primary staff person delivering the literacy instruction.
Our year long grant is coming to an end on July 31, 2001. Our goal is for adults with moderate to severe intellectual and / or multiple disabilities to have increased access and support towards community involvement through functional literacy. A total of 47 participants are currently involved in literacy programs through the grant.
Each selected participant was assessed for literacy needs and individualized programs were implemented. Literacy barriers in the workplace were discussed with employers and work environments were assessed for literacy skills necessary for employees.
The literacy programs required and offered are: