Project Description:
The impetus for this pilot project came from observing difficulty with common sight words among NCBC members. I located the Fry Sights Words lists, and identified two current Next Chapter Book Club members who would benefit from increasing their fluency with these common words. Next, I consulted with Paula Rabidoux PhD, CCC-SLP and Joan Beetstra MS, CCC-SLP regarding effective practices and overall pilot direction. It was agreed that the activity should not only focus on learning sight words, but on assisting the participants in learning to do something in their everyday lives more independently.
The pilot round was completed in FY22. After reviewing pilot results, project staff reduced the number of sessions from ten to six. Literacy IRL services begin with an initial meeting with participants and their primary caregivers to determine focused and person-centered learning goals that increase independence. Subsequent one-on-one coaching sessions have focused on such goals as: reading and sorting email, creating a grocery list and meal plan, reading menus at popular restaurants, reviewing basic math skills to make good shopping decisions, enhancing oral reading skills, and improving sight word recognition for the purpose of reading favorite comic books. Literacy IRL services remain available to NCBC members and other adults with IDD in Franklin County.
Keyword(s):
literacy, sight words, ADL, independence
Core Function(s):
Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
