Is there a National Literacy Day? Not yet! We should push for a National Literacy Day because it can only raise more literacy awareness. I urge you to contact the National Institute for Literacy to get help on changing this. Their website is here http://www.nifl.gov. You also may want to write to your local congressman. Find your representatives here http://directory.usayfoundation.org/.
I just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday. I hope you bought someone a few good books! Even better, I hope you recieved a few good books! I just got ‘I Ching’. This is a good read!
Would you like to take a break from reading to watch literacy related movies? If you live in the Durham, NC area you can! You view all the infomation on where to go here: http://durhamliteracy.org/home/node/443. These programs really aid adult literacy. Stop by if you can.
Sometimes listening is just as important as reading. If you would like to download free public domain ausio books visit http://librivox.org/. You can even donate your time and voice by reading a book and submitting the audio book for others to enjoy. One of my favorites on the site is the The Theory of Social Revolutions.
The need for literacy programs can be summed up in one statistic, the US ranks 10th out of 17 nations in literacy (judged by our literacy score). We fail in all areas of literacy except one. We are 5th when it comes to adults that have 4 of college under them. If you did not graduate college, have a GED, or are forign born your score is rock bottom. We need to raise these scores!
Can your dog read? Well the answer is probably no. Your dog can help children read through a program based in the Chicago, IL area called Sit, Stay & Read! They use therapy dogs to help gain the trust and interest of children when it comes to reading. Stay up to date on this program at their website: http://www.sitstayread.org/Welcome.aspx
Book programs for children in the Philadelphia area are relatively pleantiful. I want to recommend Abiding Truth YET Center located at 57th Street and Washington in Philadelphia, PA. Call them at (215) 722 - 7225 for hours of operation and program details. Their website is http://www.yetkids.org
For more locations see the following link: http://www.literacydirectory.org/?op=exec&mode=children&zip=&city=philadelphia&state=PA&radius=50&children_services=9&SubmitButton=Search
In this post I want to cover programs for people with learning disabilities. In many cases society overlooks the most needy. The term learning disability is so vague that its tough to identify what methods work best. Never give up. Here is a useful link: http://www.literacydirectory.org/?op=hotlines&type=ld&cmd=search&state=PA