Resources
In this section, we have gathered up some literacy resources that we hope you will find interesting and helpful.
Literacy learners have trouble with basic reading, writing and math. According to Statistics Canada, over 40% of all Canadians need help with literacy. Approximately 38% of Canadians have trouble dealing with simple reading tasks. In fact, almost 35% of Canadians over the age of 65 did not complete elementary school.
- Links to literacy organizations and resources
- Recommended readings (volunteers and staff)
- Learner readings
- Parkdale community resources
Links to literacy organizations and resources:
National Adult Literacy Database
NALD is a comprehensive and easily accessible database of adult literacy programs, resources, services and activities across Canada. It also links with other services and databases in North America and overseas.
AlphaPlus Centre
Alpha Plus Centre serves practitioners and organizations that work in the Deaf, Native, Francophone, and Anglophone literacy field in Ontario. They help users find relevant resources and information to enrich the learning of adults in literacy programs.
Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy
MTML is an organization where people interested in literacy come together to talk about, learn about, and act on issues common to the literacy movement. Their site includes resources, literacy links and upcoming events.
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
LDAO acquaints people working in fields such as education and recreation with the current literature and research in the field of learning disabilities.
Community Literacy of Ontario
CLO supports and promotes anglophone community-based literacy programs in Ontario through consultation, information sharing and advocacy and by providing a united voice for community-based literacy programs.
Toronto Advocacy Council for Adult Literacy
TACAL is group of adult literacy learners, volunteer tutors, literacy workers and other people who are working to ensure that all members of Toronto’s communities have access to the literacy programs they need.
Clear Language and Design
CLAD is a public education program of the Toronto East End Literacy Project. It helps adults learn to read and write, educates the public about literacy issues and provides clear language editing and consulting on a fee for service basis.
Recommended readings (staff & volunteers):
- Almeida, C. (1986) “Reflections on One-to-One” in Literacy/Alphabetisation, Vol. 11, No. 2.
- Czerny, M. and Swift, J. (1984) Getting Started on Social Analysis in Canada. Toronto: Between the Lines.
- Freire, P. and Macedo, D. (1987) Literacy: Reading the word and the world. Massachusetts: Begin and Garvey.
- Gaber-Katz, E. (1983) “The Politics of Literacy: Educating for Continuity” in Out of the Shadows. TVO
- Gaber-Katz, E. and Watson, G. (1991) The Land that I Dream Of: Community Based Literacy. Toronto: OISE Press.
- Hewitt, P. (1998) “Educating Priscilla” in Canadian Women’s Studies, Special issue: Women and Literacy. Vol. 3 & 4, Fall and Winter.
- Horsman, J. (2000) Too Scared To Learn. Toronto: McGilligan Books
- Horsman, J. (1990) Something in my mind besides the everyday: Women and literacy. Toronto: Women’s Press.
- McKnight, J. (1986) “Regenerating Community” in From Consumer to Citizen. Canadian Mental Health Association.
- Statistics Canada (1996) International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) published as Reading the Future: A Portrait of Literacy in Canada. Ottawa: Human Resources Development Canada and The National Literacy Secretariat.
Learner readings
The Learning Edge
This is an on-line learner newspaper packed with interactive activities.
NALD Story of the Week
Read the National Adult Literacy Database story of the week.
The Golden Oak Awards Adult Book Club
This book club introduces adult literacy learners to Canadian fiction and non-fiction. It is an interactive electronic forum for adult learners to voice their opinions about the books they read and gives learners a chance to select the books that will receive the awards.
Parkdale community resources
- Parkdale Community Information Centre – 416-393-7689
1303 Queen St. West (upstairs in the Parkdale Library)
Monday to Friday 10 – 6
Services: Community information and referrals of all kinds; assistance in filling out forms; calls to government agencies; odd job registry; housing registry. - Parkdale Community Legal Services – 416-531-2411
165 Dufferin St. (south of King St. West)
Services: Free legal services to low income people living in Parkdale (primarily landlord/tenant, immigration, mental health, workers’ rights, welfare benefits and pension issues). - Parkdale Community Health Centre – 416-537-2455
1257 Queen St. West
Services: Health centre and general medical services to Parkdale residents; 24-hour on call doctor; pre-natal classes; parent-child program; senior’s health program; domestic violence program; counselling. - Downtown Employment Services – 416-530-1455
431 Roncesvalles Ave.
Servoces: Job counselling and referrals. - Assaulted Women’s Helpline – 416-863-0511
Services: 24-hour, 7 day-a-week telephone support, information, counselling and referrals. - Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre – 416-392-6928
220 Cowan Ave. (across from the Parkdale Library)
Services: Free recreational programs for all ages. - Sistering II – 416-588-3939
220 Cowan Ave. (in Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre)
Services: Drop-ins, meals, recreation for socially-isolated women. - Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre (PARC) – 416-537-2591
1499B Queen St. West
Services: Crafts, cooking, films, games, discussions and coffee for socially-isolated adults and ex-psychiatric patients. Lifetime membership is $1. - Parkdale Public Library – 416-393-7686
1303 Queen St. West
Services: Loan of books and records, children’s reading program, Tai Chi for seniors, afternoon films.