Given the large gap between the millions of adults in need of basic literacy skills and the shortage of teachers, tutors, and funds to serve them, computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has the potential to reduce the gap. The merits of CAI include its holding power, provision of a positive learning environment, opportunity to learn about computers, enhancement of teacher productivity, instructional effectiveness, and attrition reduction. Notable models embodying many of these elements are the ABLE (Adult Basic Literacy/Education) program and the U.S. Navy's Wisher-Duffy system. Information on the extent of CAI use points to great variation from one literacy-providing sector to another. Elements that impede the wider use of computers to teach adult basic skills include limited access to hardware, lack of good software, prevailing attitudes of educators who resist new techniques, lack of training for educators in the use of CAI, and lack of a central communications network to enable educators to gather information about computers in basic skills and for share experience. (YLB)