Literacy United — Reading for All

Project Summary
Literacy United launched the Reading for All project to support people with developmental disabilities (DD) in Tarrant County in developing and improving their reading skills. Literacy is a key factor for people with DD to obtain independence and self-determination. A lack of proficiency in basic reading can become a barrier to active social participation and community inclusion as it diminishes job options and quality of life for people with DD. Adults with DD need ongoing, explicit, consistent, and comprehensive reading instruction throughout their lives to learn and sustain reading skills.

Project Highlights

• The project provided free literacy training and reading instruction to nearly 160 people with DD in Tarrant County.
• Participants increased their reading ability while building confidence in themselves to make decisions and lead their own lives.
• The success of the project spurred Literacy United to create the Reading For Life program, which provides reading instruction to children with DD.
• Due in part to the project’s impact, Literacy United transitioned from only treating children with dyslexia to treating children and adults with more complex disabilities.
      

Personal Impact Story
One participant in the project’s small reading groups increased his reading ability from a second-grade level to an 11th-grade level. His participation gave him newfound enjoyment in reading and helped him find work in his community.