Table 2 – Percentage of Population at Levels 1 & 2

Macht goes on to say that "no statistically significant relationship could be isolated between physical disabilities and low literacy levels. However…people with physical disabilities (and for that matter learning disabilities [author's note: and many other types of disabilities]) experience less involvement in the labour force. Therefore, while schooling may be equivalent, people with disabilities do not have much of an opportunity to practice their literacy skills because they are less likely to have a job. Literacy is a well–documented 'use it or loose it' phenomenon."

4.3 Halifax Regional Municipality Experience

The 1996 Census indicates that 5.1% or 12,490 individuals of the working age population in HRM (ages 15 to 64) have an activity limitation (AL) or long term disability (LTD) related to participation at school and / or work. The difference in education between persons with an AL or LTD versus those without is significant.

• 44% of persons with AL / LTD have not completed high school versus 24% of those who do not have an AL / LTD.

⁸Joel Macht, Literacy and Disability, page 11 and 12