A working group of professionals and practitioners from across England was formed to identify the basic skills needs of and adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and to determine how to better meet those needs. The working group sent out a "call for evidence" and used its own networks to gather evidence. The evidence was in the context of the government's agenda on social inclusion and partnership and the emerging national strategy for tackling adult basic skills. The following actions were deemed necessary by the working group: secure an entitlement for of adult learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities; ensure that the appropriate equipment, teaching materials, and accommodation are available; develop and extend the basic skills curriculum to meet the needs of adults who communicate in nonstandard ways; and ensure that all adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are aware of provision and able to access it. The working group formulated and endorsed 10 key recommendations of the strategy outlined in the 1999 report "A Fresh Start" and proposed its own key recommendations. Lists of the working group members and contributors to the study are appended, along with the key findings of the report "A Fresh Start" and a proposed strategy for a basic skills curriculum framework. (MN)