San Diego Council on Literacy

Finding Support for Low-Level Readers in Your Workplace

Sure, you can read this. But can your clients?

44 million American adults are at the lowest level of literacy
Of this number, 450,000 are San Diego County residents
Approximately 43% of all adults performing at the lowest literacy level live in poverty
42% of California adults cannot understand the instruction "Take this medicine on an empty stomach."

What might people who need help say to you?

"I don't have time to fill this out now. Can I bring it back tomorrow?"
"I hurt my hand. Can you fill it out for me?"
"I forgot my glasses. Please read the form to me and write my answers."

How might people who need help act with you?

A client becomes agitated when you present a form to fill out
A client doesn't respond to mailed information
A client doesn't make appointments, get prescriptions filled, or comply with instructions for medications

How can you demonstrate that you understand?

"A lot of people say these forms are hard to fill out. Can I help you with them?"
"Lots of folks need help with reading and writing."
"Would it help for somebody to explain this information to you?"

How can we work together?

Awareness: The San Diego Council on Literacy will help your team better understand this issue by providing a free referral agent training
Identification and Referral: You become the early intervention specialist who identifies a need and makes an appropriate referral.
Counseling: Learn the "DOs" and "DON'Ts" of counseling adults with low literacy skills so everybody feels supported and respected.
Literacy Hotline: A toll-free call to (888) 850-READ is the first step to helping your clients improve their literacy skills.

The San Diego Council on Literacy offers free literacy referral training to social services agencies. Please contact our office at contact@literacysandiego.org or (619) 547-1641 x100 to learn more.