1. You are here: AUCD Home
  2. Resources
  3. Trainees & Early Career Professionals
  4. Nisonger Center (OH UCEDD/LEND) Literacy Programs for Adults with IDD Focus on Social Engagement and Community Inclusion

Nisonger Center (OH UCEDD/LEND) Literacy Programs for Adults with IDD Focus on Social Engagement and Community Inclusion

January 7, 2013

For the last 10 years Tom Fish, PhD, LISW, and his colleagues at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center (OH UCEDD/LEND) have been developing literacy programs with and for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rather than being didactic in nature, these efforts have focused on literacy within the context of social engagement and community inclusion.

For example, the Next Chapter Book Clubs (NCBC) meet only in bookstores, coffee shops and cafés so that members can feel like part of the community and enjoy a cup of coffee while they read out loud with their friends every week for an hour. The premise is to help people feel comfortable and supported as adult learners. The focus is on reading to learn rather than learning to read.

"We use books and written communication as a basis for expressing ideas, feelings and opinions," said program director Fish. "We consider those who need more support to be emerging readers (and/or writers) instead of nonreaders (or writers). Respect and dignity are not just words but rather operationally actualized behaviors that are encouraged and nurtured within our literacy programs." The program celebrated its 10th anniversary in September 2012.

The Columbus Foundation, which has provided several grants to support aspects of the program, awarded the NCBC $31,800 to write original short stories for its book club members and other adults with and without disabilities. To begin this exploration of "Hi-Lo" fiction (reading material for people with a high interest in reading who require a lower reading level), project staff conducted three focus groups in February 2011. The 24 participants consisted of NCBC members and facilitators, parents or siblings of NCBC members, professionals in the disability field, and employers who have hired and managed people with disabilities.

The focus group feedback revealed that topics on relationships and intimacy, as well as action and adventure, were of greater interest than issues of health and employment. Rather than highlighting certain topics and lessons, project staff embedded these issues within the context of the short stories.

"Although clearly all of the stories have some type of constructive message," said program manager Jillian Ober, "the main intent is for them to be enjoyable and easily read and understood by our book club members."

The result is the new book, Lucky Dogs, Lost Hats, and Dating Don'ts: Hi-Lo Stories about Real Life, published in November 2012 by Woodbine House. It includes 14 short stories written for adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. All stories are written at a second or third grade reading level and contain large photographs. Each story features adult characters and relevant topics, such as romantic relationships and getting along with roommates.

"This is the first such volume of its kind," said Fish. "The stories will add a whole new dimension to the Next Chapter Book Clubs and provide club members with more accessible, relevant and fun reading options."

Chapters Ahead, Inc. is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Next Chapter Book Club. One of its new programs is Jot It Down, a writing club for adults and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Following the NCBC model, Jot It Down promotes social interaction and full community inclusion for its members. Members work individually and collaboratively to write stories, poems, letters, "MadLibs" and other projects.

Chapters Ahead is planning "The Next Chapter Book Club and Beyond: A Conference on Literacy for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago October 18-19, 2013. For more information contact [email protected] or 614-685-6718.

Related links:
Next Chapter Book Club [http://nisonger.osu.edu/ncbc]
Lucky Dogs, Lost Hats, and Dating Don'ts [http://www.woodbinehouse.com/main.asp_Q_product_id_E_978-1-60613-156-5]
Chapters Ahead, Inc. [http://chaptersahead.org/]