Adult Literacy for Life Research Project Reveals that Unmet Literacy Needs Has Negative Impact on Daily Lives
New Report explores perceptions and experiences among staff providing services to the public
This month, the Kilkenny and Carlow Regional Adult Literacy Coalition launched a new research report aimed at addressing the stigma that surrounds unmet literacy needs.
Little work has been progressed to address the stigma associated with unmet literacy needs in Ireland or in other countries. This research report commissioned by the Kilkenny and Carlow Regional Adult Literacy Coalition (RALC) is the first of its kind in Ireland and is breaking new ground.
The 10-year Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy, identified stigma as the main barrier for adults in accessing literacy support. The Kilkenny and Carlow RALC commissioned researcher Dr. Aisling McElearney of McElearney Research and Data Limited as an independent external consultant, the project was fully funded by Adult Literacy for Life.
With stigma identified as the number one barrier that gets in the way of adults accessing the help they need with their literacy in Ireland, four in five of over 1,000 adults who took part in a survey to inform the ALL strategy identified stigma/social embarrassment as a barrier. Stigma includes stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.
Key findings from the report include:
- Experiencing unmet literacy needs is widespread in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny.
- Having unmet literacy needs has a negative impact on daily living and self-worth.
- Gaps exist in staff and volunteers’ understanding of unmet literacy needs.
- Unmet literacy needs is complex. Adults often experienced trauma that got in the way of their learning.
- Adults with unmet literacy needs continue to experience shame and stigma.
Reflecting on the research and planning for the future, Dr. Aisling McElearney said: “We can address the stigma. We can change the story. We can think differently and we can act differently.”
Taking part in a panel discussion were Martha Bolger, Director of Further Education and Training, KCETB; Orla Mackey, Home School Community Liaison Co-ordinator, St. John’s National School, Kilkenny; Dylan Thomas, Social Inclusion Manager, Carlow County Development Partnership; Maria Riordan, Manager, Adult Literacy for Life National Programme Office, Solas and Fergal Blanchfield, Employment Personal Advisor, Department of Social Protection.
Former learners who engaged with the Kilkenny and Carlow ETB Adult Literacy Service spoke at the launch, with Brian O’Donnell telling his story of overcoming his unmet literacy needs and facing his fears. Having left school at 13, Brian explained that his wife filled out forms for him, and he was unable to help his sons with their homework. “It changed my life, everything is just unbelievably better for me; I was 45 going into adult learning, a year after that, I sat down to help with homework, and that is one of the best achievements I was ever able to do”. Brian also told those gathered on Wednesday, “we are our own worst critic… I would fool people, but the biggest fool was me thinking everyone was judging me”.
Former learner Lisa Banks helped launch the report on behalf of the coalition. She spoke of having grown up in a big family in a disadvantaged area in Dublin. She credited those at the Adult Literacy Service in Patrick’s Street, Kilkenny for helping her; “I suffered with my mental health; a lack of education made you feel you are not worthy of this world”. Today, Lisa is in a management role at a local Kilkenny business. Her life has changed for the better, in so many ways.
The findings from this research project will shape training for staff providing services to the public to improve awareness of and support for people with unmet literacy needs. Understanding the lived experience of adults with unmet literacy needs is a core and important part of this project.
