All levels of government should ensure that information distributed by them is clearly written and easily understandable.

COORDINATION AND ADVOCACY

There is a need for increased public awareness about the problem of adult illiteracy in Canada.

We therefore recommend that:
Support should be provided to literacy organizations to carry out public awareness programs at the local, provincial, and national levels.

Funding support for program development should be carefully synchronized with public awareness efforts, to avoid demand outstripping the supply of programs available.

Business, labour, and government should be made aware of the need for literacy programs in the workplace and should co-operate in their development.

There is a need for coordination and advocacy in literacy work on the local, provincial, and national levels.

We therefore recommend that:
Support should be provided for an independent national resource centre which would provide access to information and resources for all those involved in literacy. Support should be provided for organizations which provide coordination locally, provincially, and nationally. New partnerships to support and deliver literacy programs should be developed between these groups and all levels of government. ,

RESOURCE CENTRE/CLEARINGHOUSE

The Resource Centre/Clearinghouse should be established to:

Create a repository for research, learner-written materials, films, software, videos, tapes, books, teaching/tutor manuals, newsletters and ephemera, with an emphasis on Canadian materials.

Compile a complete directory of literacy programs and services, including methods, materials, membership, philosophy, etc., to be used as the data base for a national referral service. National-provincial- regional hot-line telephone links offering extended hours of service should be created to enable users anywhere in Canada to find appropriate programs. (Research is needed on existing hot-lines and networks, to prevent duplication of services.)

Provide consultative services for programs needing assistance with organizational development, program renewal, recruitment, board development, funding, etc.

Publish directories of programs; regularly updated bibliographies of learner-written materials, manuals, etc.; indexes of materials both from the literacy and other related fields; a national literacy newsletter.

Develop appropriate outreach/public awareness programs to reach potential users of the resource centre/clearinghouse services, as well as the existing literacy community, and those in related fields.

Provide resources for learners and learner-centered activities.