Literacy

As part of the work of Flowercart's Community Employment program, we develop training and employment options for our clients. Thanks to funding from the Department of Education's Community Learning Initiative, each year since 1995 we have conducted a Literacy Program designed to enable learners to upgrade their workplace literacy skills to enhance their ability to secure and maintain competitive employment. Success in our program ultimately enables learners to access more employment opportunities. As well, the benefits spread to other areas of the learners' lives. Each year the Literacy Program helps learners acheive their goals and to go beyond their perceived limitations.

The program also addresses our students’ need to “learn to learn” and we have found that participation in our program often develops the confidence needed to begin again the process of lifelong learning. In addition to reading, writing and mathematics, learners gain skills in listening and oral communication, teamwork, negotiation, goal setting and other areas of personal development. At the higher levels, the program increases learners’ abilities to complete work-related reading and writing tasks (i.e. completing job applications, taking messages, following recipes, assembling parts by following written instructions, reading memos).

The literacy level of the majority of our learners is below the entry requirements for most other literacy programs available in Kings County. Our program provides a stepping stone for some of our learners to qualify for other programs (e.g. the local Work Centre or the Adult Learning Centre) if they so desire.

Our waiting list speaks volumes about the need for the program. We always have clients who want to take our program, and we Usually have to turn people away each year too.

Our literacy program is especially designed for adults considered intellectually disabled. Following and modifying the Nova Scotia Community College Adult Learning Program curriculum, the program offers a practical approach to learning fundamental reading, writing and math skills. Learners work with money, budgeting and banking as well.

By providing specialized instructors, a supportive environment, shorter class periods, and a low instructor/learner ratio, we ensure that the learners in our program receive the one-on-one instruction that they need to be successful. We enrich the learning environment of our classroom by using computers. Two very common transferable work skills - the ability to operate a computer and basic keyboarding skills – are now an integral part of the learning experience we offer.

One qualified, paid instructor works with a small number of learners per class. Any instructor hired for this program is familiar with the educational needs and requirements of adults considered intellectually disabled, and has obtained the Department of Education Tutor Training Certification or equivalent.

Students are grouped into classes according to individual needs and reading levels. All learners work to meet individualized learning outcomes – some short-term, some long-term. Each program varies according to the learners' needs; some learners work with the teacher for a full 20 weeks of instruction while others have mini-courses of 10 weeks or less.

In order to accomodate learners, there are three academic levels of the program ranging from Primary to Grade 9 (NSCC Levels 1, 2 and 3). The Plain Language Guide to Reading, Writing and Math, a resource developed specifically for this program, has proved to be an invaluable asset. It is intended to provide the tutor/instructor with insight about the art of teaching adults considered intellectually disabled. It is a user-friendly, interactive and practical guide for anyone who uses it. It is reusable and recyclable (add to it, adapt it, photocopy it, etc).

 For application information please link here