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LITERACY
Literacy is a concept that evolves as our
society changes with time. Traditionally, literacy was
considered “reading and writing.” However,
this definition does not take into account the interactive
nature of oral and written language. Sending a joke by
email to your closest friends certainly has a function
and scope beyond this traditional definition. Literacy
is best described as a “social, psychological,
linguistic, and interactive process in which written
and oral language is best learned from birth, in purposeful
and interactive contexts, with many opportunities to
observe and interact with others who read and write” (Koppenhaver,
n.d.).
Some individuals with disabilities may have difficulty
with literacy development due to cognitive or language
delays, sensory impairments such as vision and hearing
loss, or mobility factors that limit the individual’s
ability to manipulate and explore reading materials or
use writing tools such as pencils and computers. Children
with medical and self-care issues may have needs that
take excessive time and precedence over activities that
promote literacy learning, such as reading books, coloring,
and fine motor tasks. Attitudes and expectations can
also serve as barriers for some children with disabilities,
as some caregivers may feel that a child’s impairments
are too severe and he/she is simply not capable of developing
literacy skills.
The Literacy Bill of Rights, developed by Yoder, Erickson,
and Kopenhaver, charges that “all persons, regardless
of the extent or severity of their disabilities, have
a basic right to use print. Beyond this general right,
there are certain literacy rights that should be assured
for all.” The complete list of these rights is
outlined in the following link and gives important perspective
regarding the value of literacy learning for all people,
regardless of disability type or severity: http://dsasdonline.org/admin/files/AT-Literacy.pdf
To ensure that all individuals with disabilities have
access to reading and writing experiences, assistive
technology can be used to increase access to materials
and provide alternative opportunities for learning.
Below is a collection of articles, handouts/forms, photos,
and useful links related to the area of literacy.
Reference:
Koppenhaver, D.,(undated) A Primer on Literacy
and Developmental Disabilities. Chapel Hill, NC: Center
for
Literacy and
Disabilities Studies. |
