Of those who prefer written information
More time to read 
Easier to understand 
Written proof 
Easier to understand 
Problems reading 
Possible to ask questions 
In the winter 2002 Communication Canada Literacy Survey, respondents with low literacy skills indicated a strong preference for written rather than verbal information from the Government of Canada.
As noted in the graphic, written information allows readers to assimilate the information at their own pace and to keep the information for future reference.
| PREFERRED MEANS OF RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA | |
|---|---|
| Do you prefer to receive written or verbal information? | |
|
|
| Why? Of those who prefer written information |
|
| More time to read |
|
| Easier to understand |
|
| Written proof |
|
| Of those who prefer verbal information | |
| Easier to understand |
|
| Problems reading |
|
| Possible to ask questions |
|
Communication Canada, Towards Action: Issues and Challenges of Communicating with Canadians with Low Literacy Skills, April 2003.