> Washington, DC; September 8, 2004 - The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) announced yesterday the launch of the newly redesigned America's Literacy Directory (ALD) website <http://www.literacydirectory.org> offering end-users an upgraded experience to quickly find reading, writing, math, English as a Second Language, skills assessment, basic technology skills, learning disability contacts, volunteer opportunities and much, much more. 

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> America's Literacy Directory (ALD) is a national directory of literacy service providers available via the Internet and the National Institute for Literacy's toll-free number. The ALD connects employers, learners, volunteers, social service agencies, and others to current information about literacy service providers in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. 

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> For more information on the new features and how ALD can work for you, go to:  http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/ald_update.html

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> 			NEW FEATURES

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> FOR GENERAL USERS

> -	Learners of all ages will have increased access to information about 	literacy and after school programs 

> 		-  To get help for: Reading, Writing, Math, Homework. 

> 		-  To get information about GED programs and test centers. 

> 		-  To get information about Learning Disabilities and English as a 			second Language programs.

> -	Employers will have the capability to locate basic skills program for 	their employees. 

> -	Access to more volunteer opportunity types.

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> FOR LOCAL LITERACY PROVIDERS

> -	Ability to update, change or add program information. 

> -	New section that includes Programs for Employers.

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> FOR STATES AND ORGANIZATIONS

> -	Ability to control and manage service providers within state, including: 

> -	Ability to approve new programs and update program information. 

> -	Capability to retrieve data as an Excel report for targeted mail merges 	or for use with multiple program levels or 	print service provider 	directory. 

> -	Ability to add State-defined customized fields. 

> -	Sophisticated user management tool to delegate tasks to multiple 	administrator levels or other types of administrators, as needed. 

> -	Automated address validation to verify data.

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> ALD users can access a more powerful and functionally enhanced website at www.literacydirectory.org <http://www.literacydirectory.org> immediately to begin searching for a literacy program near you.

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> For more information, contact Jaleh Behroozi: mailto:jbehroozi at nifl.gov or Mary Jo Maralit mmaralit at nifl.gov, or call 202-233-2025.

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> Jaleh Behroozi Soroui

> National LINCS Director

> National Institute for Literacy

> 1775 I street, Suite 730

> Washington DC, 20006

> Phone: 202/233-2039

> FAX:   202/233-2050

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> www.nifl.gov/lincs

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