"My life has completely turned around 360 degrees as a result
of one phone call four years ago. You will not find a more staunch supporter
of literacy networks and the much needed assistance they
provide, while at the same time, making a difference in our lives. They sure
made a difference in mine!" - Volunteer tutors are on the front line of the literacy program in Nova
Scotia but there is no requirement for these individuals to have any experience
or knowledge of working with persons with disabilities nor is there any training
to assist them in this regard. Yet we believe that many adult students have
learning disabilities, AD/HA or other special needs. Volunteer turnover is
significant and unpredictable. On average, tutors volunteer for 1.5 to 2 years.
- The Department of Education offers a 30 hour tutor training program. Literacy
programs are encouraged to have tutors participate in the training however,
it is not mandatory. Training costs $50 / participant and the costs are
assumed by the literacy network / program. There is no specific funding allocation
for tutor training; therefore, the literacy organizations must find the
funding in their overall allocation.
- Tutors volunteer their time with specific literacy organizations. There
is no central resource organization which organizes or allocates tutors.
Disability organizations seeking tutors for their clients must either encourage
their clients to enroll in a literacy program or seek out a literacy tutor
from another source.
- Information and Data about Adult Students with Disabilities – There is no
consistent manner in which literacy organizations gather information about their students' disabilities.
Some have a self identification process but more than 50% of the literacy organizations
responding to our survey do not have a process whereby a learner can identify
his/her special needs or disability. Some agencies collect information in other
ways, mostly during the intake process. And some organizations do not collect
any information. The end result is twofold:
- Instructors and tutors may have limited knowledge about their students
and therefore, may not have key information about potential learning limitations; and
- There is generally no reliable data about adult literacy students with
disabilities in HRM programs.
- Confidentiality – Due to sensitivity around confidentiality,
key information about a learner such as behavioral issues is often not passed
on either by a referring agency or from one literacy program to the next.
- Alternate Print Materials – The majority of respondents
to the survey do not offer print materials in alternate format such as large print or Braille.
In fact, there is no adult literacy program for the blind in Nova Scotia.
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