Bradenton, FL – June 19, 2025

Why Adult Literacy Support Matters in America

In a country as developed and opportunity-rich as the United States, it may come as a surprise that millions of adults struggle to read and write at a basic level. Yet, this is the reality for an estimated 43 million Americans. Many of them grew up in our neighborhoods, attended our schools, worked hard their entire lives—and still slipped through the cracks of the education system.

At Manatee Literacy Council, we see the real impact of this every day. We meet adults who never had the chance to master reading because of undiagnosed learning disabilities, trauma, disrupted schooling, poverty, or growing up in homes where education wasn’t accessible or prioritized. Some were English language learners who fell behind in school because their families couldn’t support them academically. Others passed through grade after grade without truly being able to read, until adulthood brought the consequences front and center: the inability to fill out a job application, read a prescription label, or help their child with homework.

Illiteracy is not a reflection of intelligence. It is often the result of inequality, underfunded schools, and a lack of intervention at critical moments. And it’s not just a personal struggle—it’s a community issue. Low literacy affects employment, health outcomes, civic participation, and even generational cycles of poverty.

That’s why adult literacy support is so important. It offers people a second chance to learn what they missed the first time around. It builds confidence, opens doors to better jobs, and empowers parents to support their children’s education. It helps individuals become fully engaged members of their communities.

We also know that sometimes, even with the best intentions, a learner may struggle to make progress—and tutors may not know what to try next. That’s where resources like this article from Literacy Minnesota come in. It provides practical, compassionate guidance for volunteers supporting Adult Basic Education (ABE) learners—especially when progress feels slow or uncertain. Tools like PANDA (the Minnesota ABE Disability Specialists) help identify barriers and create strategies tailored to the learner’s needs.

If you’ve ever taken reading for granted, consider what life would be like without it. Then consider how powerful it is to give that gift to someone else.

Get Involved. Be Part of the Solution.
Whether you volunteer, donate, or simply help spread the word, you can help change lives through literacy.