Literacy
and Disability -- The Continuing Challenge
By Hon. David Kilgour, Secretary State (Latin
America and Africa)
For Share Newspaper, March 1, 2000
At present,
there are more than 960 million adults who
are non-literate around the world. More
than 95 per cent of them reside in the developing
world, principally in Southern and Eastern
Asia followed by Sub-Saharan Africa. In
Latin America and the Caribbean there are
an estimated 40 million plus persons alone.
Research suggests that only a modest decline
in these rates is expected in both absolute
and relative terms as we embark on this
new century. Statistics also show the prevalence
of compounding disparities associated with
gender, age and locality. Accordingly, without
innovative solutions, the developing world
is likely to see more significant adverse
consequences.
It is estimated
that there are more than 500 million persons
globally that have a disability. Again,
and not surprisingly, most reside in the
developing world. In Latin America and the
Caribbean, there are an estimated 45 million
persons with disabilities. A majority of
these cases are observed from childhood
and adversely impact prime economic and
social contributing years. Furthermore,
compounding disparities are observed between
the sexes. Accordingly, as with literacy
skills development, fresh solutions are
needed if we are to counter the significant
adverse consequences.
Literacy
and disability are two important elements
associated with any comprehensive effort
to improve community self reliance and development.
At the heart of both issues is the empowerment
of individuals so that they become fully
integrated in all spheres of a society --
economic, social and political. The absence
of literacy and living with a disability
invariably leaves an individual marginalized.
To reach our potential, particularly in
the economic domain, facilitating literacy
skills development and achieving the integration
of persons with disabilities is essential.
To promote greater economic participation
translates to greater economic productivity.
Given the interconnectedness of economics
to other spheres of life, personal and societal,
promoting real equality means strong citizenship
in all domains of life -- economic, social,
cultural, civic and political.
Canadian
Role
In broad terms, Canada is an acknowledged
leader in social development, much of which
is based on marketplace partnerships. In
particular, Canadian NGOs have the reputation
and capability to provide innovative solutions
for literacy skills development and the
integration of persons with disabilities.
With the establishment of a strategic plan,
Canadian NGOs are well positioned to avail
themselves of many opportunities to contribute
to a global agenda that benefits all stakeholders,
especially those most marginalized.
This article
is the first of a series seeking to capture
the magnitude of the crisis associated with
poor literacy and disability globally. The
focus of forthcoming ones will be to provide
some of the basic considerations associated
with maturing NGOs and groups seeking to
export innovative solution to the global
markets. It will endeavor to provide the
simple ABCs of becoming export-ready and
identifying how public authorities can assist
in the same process.
As Prime
Minister Jean Chrétien noted at the
United Nations, "We believe that we
simply cannot afford to exclude Canadians
with disabilities from our social and economic
development. We would short change them
and, just as important, we would short change
our society, and its future economic prosperity
and quality of life."
There is
much that all Canadians can do to reach
our potential helping people lead more fulfilling
lives.
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