When struggling to read and write as an adult, everyday tasks such as reviewing instructions or ordering from a menu are overwhelming. Facing lifelong literacy challenges leads these adults to create coping strategies that don’t fully eliminate these stressors. 

For those living with literacy challenges, an important first step is understanding your learning style and uncovering potential learning differences. 

• If you suspect you or another adult in your life are dyslexic, we encourage you to complete a simple assessment: Do I have dyslexia? 
• Though not formal testing, the more questions you mark “yes” the higher likelihood that you are living with a literacy based learning difference. 
• For a more in depth assessment, complete the Adult Reading History Questionnaire. 
• If your results indicate further help is needed, refer to IDA’s list of qualified literacy professionals. 
• Learn about adult literacy support and testing organizations in our region. 

Finding support and making connections can help strengthen your literacy skills.   

It’s not common knowledge that learning to read and write doesn’t happen in the same way for every individual, especially those with dyslexia. Researchers have found that effective literacy instruction for those with dyslexia must include consistent, regimented evaluations, and systematic teaching strategies based on a Structured Literacy curriculum. This same teaching strategy is shown to be helpful with students of any learning style. 

Popular but unhelpful strategies have dominated literacy education and many compromised academic environments lack correct diagnostic tools. As a result, capable students have gotten lost in the shuffle. These students often graduate with impaired literacy skills or don’t ever finish high school, but it’s never too late to find effective literacy instruction.   

Close to 1 in 5 individuals are dyslexic. Though a dyslexia diagnosis indicates challenges in learning to read and write, a dyslexia diagnosis does not indicate low intelligence. In fact, many individuals with dyslexia are extremely bright, creative, and become strong self-advocates. 

NOBIDA understands these challenges and can help you find resources that will help. 

• New technology products available offer assistance in reading and writing and can help adults gain confidence in their communications. 
• Researchers have developed accessible, structured, and effective phonics based literacy instruction to help learners of all ages. 
• Even better, Ohio’s Dyslexia Laws require teachers to receive training in effective, structured literacy programs to help strengthen current and future literacy rates in our state.    

Within the northern Ohio region, studies show the greater Cleveland area includes many adults with low literacy rates. As discussed in a recent ideastream article, “Why are so many adults struggling with low literacy in Cleveland and beyond?” The authors suggest that a combination of high poverty rates alongside absent or ineffective teaching methods contribute to these low adult literacy rates. 

Though this is the case, the NOBIDA region also boasts multiple literacy organizations serving adults living with dyslexia and other language based learning differences. 

Take a moment and review our list of local adult literacy support resources.  

Connecting with these resources can set you on a whole new path. NOBIDA is eager to help you get started. 

Contact us for further support. 

We invite you to become a member and join NOBIDA’s adult literacy efforts today!

The NOBIDA community is with you Until Everyone Can Read…