Since the 1980s we have worked in partnership with government departments, organisations, tutors and learners to advance adult literacy policy. This work is supported by evidence-based research which examines international best practice, reviews Irish policy and produces recommendations to meet the needs of people with literacy difficulties.
To effectively tackle adult literacy issues in Ireland we need to work at many different levels. We do this by:
Since it was established in 1980, NALA has consistently advocated for enhanced literacy education and training and better implementation. NALA has identified five key priorities for the strategy to raise adult literacy levels and is working with SOLAS in the development of a Further Education and Training strategy, which will include a strategy for the development of adult literacy and numeracy.
NALA believes that all citizens should have fair and equal access to all public services, that are delivered in a literacy-friendly way. It involves the organization including and respecting its staff and customers. It encourages commitment to delivering services in a literacy-friendly way by removing literacy-related barriers to access, participation and achievement.
Literacy and numeracy have a direct impact on employment, career opportunities and progression.
There are currently 335,700 people in the labour force who have a Junior Certificate level qualification or less, of which 5% have primary level or no qualifications (CSO, Quarter 1, 2013). Of this figure, 257,200 of these are in the workplace.
Since 2000, NALA has been working with employers, trade unions, state agencies and government departments to raise awareness of the issue and develop appropriate solutions.
NALA policy work advocates that family literacy is developed within the contexts of all adult education and community services as well as the national literacy strategy for children. This would enable schools, community and adult education providers work with parents to combat educational disadvantage for children and adults.
NALA recommends that a dedicated and significant funding stream be established for family literacy work, and that this should be accessed on the basis of a partnership between families, communities and schools.
Supported by compelling research, our efforts to get health literacy on the policy map were successful and health literacy is now situated in the new population health framework, Healthy Ireland, which creates opportunity for greater commitment to building health literacy levels across all our efforts to build a healthier Ireland.
Health literacy and numeracy involves a person being able to understand basic health information whether they receive it in writing, in person or over the phone. It also involves a person having the knowledge to understand their options and make informed decisions about their own health.
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