9/4/98
ATHENS, Ohio -- Congressman Ted Strickland and Ohio Rep. Larry Householder will participate in a luncheon and forum on adult and family literacy, sponsred by the Central and Southeast Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) Resource Center at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, in the Galbreath Room of the Ohio University Inn.
ABLE and Ohio Department of Education officials will announce details of an Appalachian Literacy Initiative for 29 counties in Southeast Ohio in a collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and community agencies, extension service and libraries, according to Rick McIntosh, director of the resource center.
McIntosh said goals of the initiative are to improve collaboration among providers of adult and family literacy education services; improve resources and literacy sources in the area; promote the overall image of the Ohio Appalchian region and develop grants for local literacy providers to improve literacy programs in the area.
"Tuesday is International Literacy Day, a good day to announce this initiative and reflect on the impact of literacy in our lives," McIntosh said. "Being literate in today's society means possessing reading and writing skills to be able to fully participate in education, family, workplace and community."
According to National Institute for Literacy statistics, approximately 15 percent of the adults in Athens County do not have the literacy skills to participate fully in family, education, employment and community. According to 1990 census data, 8,000 adults do not hold high school diplomas and 2,400 adults did not complete the ninth grade.
Adult basic and literacy education programs are free because of financial support from the federal and state governments. In addition, many local communities support these programs through funding and volunteers.