Illiteracy is the lack of listening, speaking, reading, writing and mathematics skills necessary to solve problems one encounters in daily life; to take advantage of opportunities in one's environment; and to participate fully in the transformation of one's society.

According to the National Institute for Literacy, one in five Virginia adults operate at the lowest literacy skill level, with reading abilities below the eighth grade level. This means they are unable to read to their children or understand street signs, job applications, or instructions for medical treatment. This situation is especially tragic because the vast majority of these individuals, if given the opportunity, can learn to read.

Approximately 50% to 75% of unemployed adults have minimal or no literacy skills.

More than one-third of job applicants nationwide lack the basic reading and math skills necessary to do the job for which they are applying. The Department of Labor estimates that illiteracy costs businesses and taxpayers $25 billion a year through workplace accidents, lost productivity, unrealized tax revenues, welfare payments, and crime.

Every week, 44,000 people are added to the adult illiterate population of the United States. This adds up to 2.2 million people per year.

All adult literacy programs in the country, combined, reach 4% of the adults who need literacy tutoring.

In Northern Virginia, more than 129,000 adults are functionally illiterate.

    In Fairfax County, 83,000 adults are functionally illiterate--13 percent of the adult 
    population. Another 89,700 function at the next highest literacy level.

    In Arlington County, more than 25,000 adults, 17 percent of the adult population, are
    functionally illiterate.

    In Alexandria City, more than 19,000 adults, 20 percent of the adult population, are
    functionally illiterate.

    In Falls Church City, 10 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Fairfax City, 13 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In the Bailey's Crossroads area, 30 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Annandale, 13 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Burke, 8 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Centreville, 9 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Chantilly, 8 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In the Franconia area, 9 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Herndon, 13 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In the Lincolnia area, 21 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Lorton, 35 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In McLean, 9 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Mount Vernon, 16 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Oakton, 8 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Reston, 11 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Springfield, 19 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.  In West Springfield, 
    the number is 9 percent.

    In the Tysons Corner area, 12 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.

    In Vienna, 13 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate.