Literacy Definition - "Literacy is the ability to read, write, calculate, speak, and understand, as well as sign (for the Deaf) and communicate in other forms of language, according to need. It is a continuum of these skills necessary for everyday life in the home, at work, in education and in the community." (Taken from ABC Canada website)

1 in 2 Canadian adults have literacy or reading problems.

Based on the 1995 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), ABC Canada reports the following:
· 80 % of Canadians over 65 have low literacy skills
· 40 % of Canadians aged 16 – 65 have low literacy skills
· 20 % of recent high-school graduates have literacy skills too low for entry-level jobs

Different levels in literacy:
· Level 1 – Non-readers who have serious difficulty in dealing with any printed material.
· Level 2 – Poor readers who can deal only with simple printed material containing no complex tasks.
· Level 3 – Average readers who can handle everyday printed material. This is the level of skill needed for today’s entry-level jobs.
· Level 4/5 – High-end readers, ranging upwards from managers through professionals to academics.
(Taken from “Literacy Matters” distributed by ABC Canada.