Let’s talk about literacy.

In Ireland, about one in six adults has unmet literacy needs. Many more have unmet numeracy and digital literacy needs. This means they may be unable to fill in a form, read instructions, add up a bill or search online for information.

Unmet literacy needs can exclude people from carrying out a range of everyday activities and prevent them from participating fully in society. With your help we can change this.

Literacy is a human right

Literacy changes lives.

Literacy allows us to engage effectively with others, access public services, understand and act on new information, and use technology. It allows us to stand up for ourselves and our communities on issues that affect our lives.

Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) is a 10-year strategy dedicated to ensuring that anyone with unmet literacy needs can participate fully in society. We want to ensure that everyone has the literacy to meet their needs, and that literacy is valued and supported at every level of our society.

Learn More

You can make a difference.

Step 1. Talk about literacy

Talk about literacy with your friends and family and help to reduce the stigma. Some people feel embarrassed and hide their literacy needs from friends and family. Take our Literacy awareness course to learn more.

Step 2. Raise awareness of local services.

  • 85,000 adults attend literacy courses nationwide.

  • Classes run in Education Training Boards (ETB) Adult Literacy Service all over Ireland. 

  • Classes are free and adult friendly. The experience is very different to school. 

  • Tutors work at a pace that suits the learner and their interests. 

  • Find out more about your local ETB literacy services.

  • The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) also offers distance learning through their Learn with NALA. Learn with NALA.

Step 3. Become a literacy champion.


Want to become a literacy champion in your organisation or community?

  • Talk about literacy and reduce stigma

  • Be aware of literacy needs          

  • Promote literacy friendly practices at work

  • Identify and remove barriers to literacy

  • Use plain language in communications

  • Provide or signpost literacy awareness training 

  • Signpost to literacy supports in your community

“The Adult Literacy for Life strategy is a catalyst for people saying, 'actually, we can do very simple things, and they’ll make a big difference.' ”

Literacy champions: a roadmap to inclusion

Contact your Regional Literacy Coordinator to find out more about how to become a literacy champion.

Useful Websites for Literacy Champions

Learn more about how you can make a difference

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Keep informed

We want to ensure that everyone has the literacy to meet their needs, and that literacy is valued and supported at every level of society.

To receive updates on our work, please send an email to allinnovation@solas.ie