Adult Literacy and Basic Education “in the United States and Canada … connotes a field of practice that includes programs of adult basic education (ABE) and, in some communities, English as a Second Language (ESL)” (Taylor, 1989, p. 465).

The terms ABE and Adult Literacy are used differently in every province and territory of the country. This impedes direct comparisons of provision and other related services.

Continuing Professional Education “refers to the education of professionals subsequent to their preparatory or pre-professional education that continues throughout their careers” (Wiesenberg, 2005, p. 152).

English as a Second Language (ESL) refers to “the English of those who are acquiring English in a context where it is the dominant language” (Auerbach, 2005, p. 213).

Higher Education, sometimes referred to as post-secondary education or tertiary education, “refers to formalized and credentialized learning opportunities offered through institutions such as universities and colleges leading to a degree or diploma” (Kreber, 2005, p. 278).

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition has been defined as “the process of identifying, assessing and recognizing skills, knowledge, or competencies that have been acquired through work experience, unrecognized training, independent study, volunteer activities, and hobbies. PLA may be applied toward academic credit, toward requirement of a training program, or for occupational certification” (Human Resource Development, Canada, 1995).

Access in this context refers to “having the right, opportunity or ability to reach, enter or use a facility, program, service or materials, visit a person or people and/or receive, understand and use information, knowledge or skills” (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, 2004, p. 124).

Community capacity-building, regardless of definition (Stirling, 2000), typically includes a focus on sharing information and knowledge, using local resources, and focusing on future possibilities. Mattesich and Monsey (1997) suggest that community capacity-building has to do with using community skills, resources, and strengths to address community problems. Furthermore, they state that community capacity is the extent to which a community can work together effectively to achieve goals.