This is a note Dr.Z sent to those interested in adult literacy.

I understand feeling illiterate and its stigma.

Here is a simple question that is important in social research.

  How many of the non readers were considered slow readers in school? 

We know Early Reading works with slow readers. That may not eliminate the privacy issue, but they can understand why they could not read aloud. And at the same time they could comprehend words. A little less stigma perhaps.

This works from the heart in two ways. It eliminates the feeling of shame at not reading. The school was teaching him or her the wrong way.

They know what it felt like in school and they will have empathy for the children in school.

And they get a feeling of accomplishment.

This may not happen overnight, but it can happen.

I cannot tell you how to do it, but you will alter my words so they can understand.