I have a developmentally-disabled adult friend who is interested in learning to read. She has a very rudimentary grasp of phonics and can read some three-letter words (like “cat”). She has internet access at home and at day training, and support staff can help her type urls, manipulate the mouse, etc.
Does anyone know of any adult literacy cirricula online that are free and/or web-based?
TIA
Pardon my ignorance in the subject, but does it have to be adult-oriented? Can she read children’s material?
I’m not familiar with her disability, but even when us regular folks start learning a foreign language, we start with child-like basics. I imagine there would be loads of “learn to read” stuff out there, especially for words like c-a-t and d-o-g.
Yes, it does. I’m ethically required to provide her with age-appropriate materials. There are plenty of basic reading ciricula out there, but they have cute pictures of animals and cartoons and such. Not appropriate for a 23-year-old woman, even if she is developmentally disabled.
I am intrigued by this. The idea of what is appropriate for children and what is appropriate for adults is a societal construct. As far as I know, there are no common ethical systems that say you cannot offer somebody something that others would consider childish.
Plus, I generally find the idea that cute cartoons are only for kids to be a bit problematic, as it prejudges any adult who happens to like that sort of thing as being childish. I know quite a few people who like cartoons or animation that are adult. Heck, my mom is one.
I can understand if the reason is that the student or whoever else may be contracting your services (whether free or not) are insulted by what they consider “childish.” But I would consider that part of the contract, not merely an ethical consideration.
I see your point, BigT, but in this industry (care for the developmentally disabled) we’re required to provide “age-appropriate” activities and such to all of our clients. And yes, “age-appropriate” is arbitrary and varies from person to person. So even though “Ann” may be perfectly happy to learn to read via cartoony pictures of animals, the State of Illinois doesn’t see it that way, and if an auditor were to see it, somebody would want a word.
But it’s all moot anyway. I’ve found my ciriculum. 
The Laubach Learn to Read program, if anyone cares.