[AAACE-NLA] Lift Every Voice for Adult Literacy

[Corley, Mary Ann]

Dear AAACE-NLA List Subscribers:
 
As you are aware, several of us (adult literacy practitioners and researchers) have been urging you (as AAACE-NLA list subscribers) to visit the Web site www.savenifl.org and read about what we believe are real threats (1) to NIFL's maintaining a focus on adult literacy, and (2) to the very survival of the NIFL electronic lists.  The SAVE NIFL! Web site encourages visitors to send letters to legislators, requesting that NIFL's adult focus be preserved.  You may also be aware that, several months ago, NIFL asked that messages related to advocacy not be posted to any of the NIFL-sponsored lists.  We list moderators, wishing to respect NIFL's request, have not been advocating directly on the various NIFL lists for subscribers to take action, but we have been asking list subscribers to visit the SAVE NIFL! Web site and learn about the threats listed above.  However, we recently have been advised that even this act (simply referring NIFL electronic list subscribers to the SAVE NIFL! Website) constitutes advocacy and that we must cease making such postings.  Many of us fear  that, if all of us are effectively silenced, the threats listed above may well become reality.         
 
Perhaps you have intended to send a letter to your legislators but have been struggling to find comfortable and effective wording?  If so, struggle no more!  The Web site of the Council for the Advancement of Adult Literacy (www.caalusa.org) contains the text of a wonderful letter written by Gail Spangenberg in May 2003 to several legislators on the topic of NIFL's value to the adult literacy field.  Please take the time to visit this Web site for a sample of a beautifully written letter that accurately depicts the issue.  And please let your voices be heard.  
 
Thanks so much!!!
 
-Mary Ann Corley
NIFL-Povracelit List Moderator