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How Illiteracy Effects How Adults Use Technology

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How Illiteracy Effects How Adults Use Technology
How Illiteracy Effects How Adults Use Technology The ability to read is one of the most fundamental parts of our daily lives; something most people have taken for granted. A person needs to be literate in order for them to be able to function in society. Unfortunately, for millions of adults in America this is not the case; their reality is a world of illiteracy. According to Jonathan Kozol, author of The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society, illiterates face humiliation and the fear of being stigmatized in their daily lives. They need help from friends and family to do their reading for them. With the use of today 's technology it is becoming harder for illiterate adults to do a lot of things, such as: applying for a job, food stamps, or health insurance without the use of a computer. Illiteracy effects how adults live in today 's technological world. Computers are changing our way of life. We use computers for so many different things. We access our bank accounts, we pay our bills, and we find the answers to almost anything on the internet. We also search the internet for agencies that can offer us assistance. Almost all information about our children 's school is also online. It is there that you will find out about upcoming events and school closings or delays. Teachers will communicate via email about how our child is progressing, or is not progressing. This includes if an appointment has been scheduled to meet to discuss our child. More and more computers are being used to make jobs more efficient and effective. Because illiterates are among some of the poorest people in America, they rely on governmental assistance agencies for help. This includes the need for health insurance, food stamps, and help finding jobs or apartments. However, these agencies are now requiring you to fill out applications online in order to receive assistance from them. Even if the illiterate person can find their way to a job center to look for work, the center requires


Cited: Kozol, Jonathon. "The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society." Garden City, N.Y. : Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1985. Print.
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