Practitioners need to reinforce that learners can:
  • Learn
  • Be successful
  • Work with their instructors/tutors to develop the best strategies and programs that will work for them
  • Continue to learn after they leave their program71

The screening tool helps to identify if learners' challenges are related to potential learning disabilities. If referrals are warranted, then practitioners can help learners with this process. Referrals could involve accessing hearing tests, visions tests, counseling and/or formal diagnostic testing. If no referrals are needed, then further assessments should be conducted. Based on the assessment results, it is possible that changes to learners' goals, curriculum and learning environments may be required.

Practitioners need to help adult learners recognize the full extent of their suspected learning disabilities and how they impact on social and academic functioning. When working with learners, practitioners need to help them to accept the full range of strengths and challenges associated with their learning disabilities. Together, practitioners and learners need to develop plans consistent with learners' strengths and challenges to help them reach their goals.72

"Literacy programs should be designed with a positive view toward the success of adults with learning disabilities. To do this, program leaders must ensure that disabilities and their impact are widely recognized and positively accepted by practitioners and clients. They also should strive to create a program that forges a partnership with adults with learning disabilities to promote their success."73