ACQ Vol 11 no 2 2009

Literacy

Raising awareness of the importance of functional literacy skills The Communication Resource Centre – Scope Cathy Basterfield

H istorically, accessibility has focused on physical access, hearing access and visual access. The Australian laws are well known by individuals and organisations regarding compliance to these particular accessibility needs. “Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product (e.g., device, service, environment) is accessible by as many people as possible. Several definitions of accessibility refer directly to access- based individual rights laws and regulations”, (Wikipedia 2009). The concept of “communication accessibility” is new, and is not the same as access to communications technology or use of computers and computer software to improve access to information. More recently, information access has also been included to describe improved access to written information. This concept can be further extended to include way-finding access related to appropriate signage within buildings or social spaces. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the Australian Literacy and Life Skills Survey in 2007 (ABS, 2006).This survey highlighted the significant needs of people with limited reading skills. The report highlighted that up to 46% of the Australian adult population (15 to 74 years) do not have the functional literacy skills to meet the demands of today’s literate society. So how do people who do not have functional literacy skills access written information in their environment? What rights and responsibilities do organisations have to provide written information in a way that is accessible to most people? What are functional literacy skills? Have you read your phone bill, your Neighbourhood Watch newsletter, or a public transport timetable? Do you need to read a medicine bottle to check the dosage? Perhaps you need to read your diary to check the time and place to meet a friend? These are all functional literacy tasks. Functional literacy skills can be considered in a variety of domains, including prose, document, numeracy, and problem-solving. English as a second language often compounds these issues and affects functional literacy abilities. Evidence also suggests that recent school leavers and the aged population have reduced functional literacy skills compared with the general adult population. The amount of time available, stress and new situations also have an impact on someone’s functional literacy. There are specific skills and abilities we all need in order to be

Functional literacy refers to how a person uses the information they read, regardless of their level of schooling, or their scores on a test. The Australian Literacy and Life Skills Survey 2007 identified that up to 46% of the Australian adult population (15–74 years) do not have the functional literacy skills required to meet the demands of today’s literate society. The Accessible Information Service at the Communication Resource Centre – Scope has been working with different organisations for a number of years to develop accessible written information for consumers. There have been many positive outcomes in ensuring written information is accessible to all consumers. Challenges will continue, as awareness of the need for – and personal right to – accessible written information is limited. It is anticipated that with increasing understanding of this need, resources for the development of accessible written information will be enhanced. Scope is a not-for-profit organisation providing disability services throughout Victoria to thousands of children and adults with physical and multiple disabilities. Scope is committed to overcoming the personal, structural and attitudinal barriers that prevent those with disability from participating in community life and works to make our community more inclusive, more accessible and more welcoming (Scope, 2009). The service provides: • training • partnerships with organisations • consultation to develop your accessible documents • some writing/translation services • resource development, e.g., Easy English Writing Style Guide www.scopevic.org.au/therapy_crc_ easyenglishstyleguide.html

Keywords accessible Convention on the Rights of People with Disability (2006) functional literacy health literacy participation

Cathy Basterfield

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ACQ Volume 11, Number 2 2009

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