About 40 per cent of Albertans will have difficulty reading this sentence, but that’s something the Edmonton Literacy Coalition is hoping to change after launching new public awareness campaigns Wednesday.

The coalition, which was formed a year ago by different organizations who advocate literacy, aims to erase the stigma surrounding adults who may struggle with reading.

“This project will finally create the understanding that 40 per cent of the public don’t know how illiterate they are. All of us need to not be afraid of those who are having challenges to step up and go to (resource centers),” said mayor Stephen Mandel at the launch.

The group launched new print advertising campaigns that illustrate how low literacy levels can affect everyday life, from reading ingredients on food containers to instructions found on medication.

Isabell Tapp described how she has changed since she started going to the Centre for Family Literacy four years ago.

“I’ve learned to read better and write better, (but) also socialize. I’m not hiding from the world,” she said.

The ads can be found in newspapers, transit stations and online.