2.2. Project Purpose and Objectives
The impetus for this study is found in the vision articulated in the 1998
document In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues.
"Persons with disabilities participate as full citizens in all
aspects of Canadian society. The full participation of persons with disabilities
requires the commitment of all segments of society. The
realization of the vision will allow persons with disabilities to maximize
their independence and enhance their well–being through access to required
supports and the elimination of barriers that prevent their
full participation."
The document goes on to define a new approach to disability issues as shown
in the table in Appendix 1.
With this premise in mind, the Literacy for Persons with Disabilities Committee
described the purpose of this project in the proposal to HRDC as follows:
- Examine the accessibility and availability of literacy services in the
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) for persons with disabilities;
- Research the factors which contribute to the utilization of
community based literacy programs by persons with disabilities;
- Identify barriers to learning and models which have had success with this diverse population;
- Recommend approaches and / or changes necessary to eliminate
the barriers to successful literacy learning for adults with disabilities.
The anticipated short term outcomes of this project are as follow:
- an increase in service providers' (teachers, employment service providers,
social workers, etc.) awareness of literacy programs/supports available to
persons with disabilities within HRM;
- an increase in service providers' abilities to respond effectively to
the needs of persons with disabilities requiring literacy upgrading; and
- an increase in community (parents, family members, friends, youth with disabilities,
etc.) awareness of the literacy programs and services available to persons with disabilities within HRM.
The planned long term outcomes are:
- informed participation by persons with disabilities in local literacy programs;
- full physical and attitudinal accessibility for persons with disabilities requiring literacy upgrading;
- full participation of persons with disabilities in their communities; and
- an increased rate of employment among persons with disabilities.
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