3. Definitions of Disability and Literacy

3.1 Definition of Disability

The Government of Canada published a report called Advancing the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in December 2002. It suggests that our perspective about what constitutes a disability has evolved significantly over the past century. The report comments that defining disability is "not an easy task". It goes on to say that the four broad categories under which we consider people to be disabled are:

  • Physical;
  • Sensory;
  • Mental health; and
  • Intellectual.

It also makes the point that "people are considered to be disabled if their condition restricts their ability to perform common tasks such as working, going to school, traveling, walking, communicating or performing daily tasks at home."4

3.2 Definition of Literacy

Historically, persons who were 'illiterate' lacked the skills to read and write versus those who were 'literate' who possessed reading and writing skills. There was no recognition of degree of capability.

Definitions of literacy today are many and varied and tend to discuss literacy on a continuum of capability. The Centre for Literacy of Quebec provides the following perspective around 'Literacy for the 21st Century' –

Literacy involves a complex set of abilities to understand and use the dominant symbol systems of a culture for personal and community development. The need and demand for these abilities vary in different societies.
In a technological society, the concept is expanding to include the media and electronic text in addition to alphabets and numbers. Individuals must be given life–long learning opportunities to move along a continuum that includes reading, writing, and the critical understanding and decision–making abilities they need in their communities.5

4 Advancing the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Canada Report, December 2002 – page 10
5 http://www.nald.ca/litcent.htm