Improving Access to Diabetes Information for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations

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Project Summary Diabetes rates are higher in Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) populations than hearing populations, most likely due to a lack of access to linguistically and culturally relevant health information. American Sign Language has a different grammar structure and syntax to English, therefore written diabetes education materials (e.g., handouts, websites) may not be understood by a DHH person living with diabetes. Given this, DHH populations have a critical barrier to diabetes information, yet do have access to technology, such as the internet, to obtain information in American Sign Language. Our overarching goal is to increase access to diabetes education content by developing and testing a website, Deaf Can Together, in American Sign Language. Our community advisory board has identified the need for a trustworthy and “Deaf- friendly” website that will include videos in American Sign Language with or without supplemental pictures, visual graphics, storytelling, and visual demonstration. Such a website will fill the gap in the lack of access to health information. This study is informed by the ADAPT model and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Our specific aims are to first, prototype and build a diabetes informational website, Deaf Can Together, that addresses the cultural and linguistic needs of Deaf and hard of hearing populations. Specifically, we will co- design the website with the DHH community with our existing community advisory board. Second, we will evaluate the usability, acceptability, and efficacy of the Deaf Can Together website. Using a mixed method approach, we will collect data from N=40 DHH people with diabetes who are given access to the website. Third, we will conduct an initial dissemination of the Deaf Can Together website. We have several partners for dissemination, including DHH organizations, professional diabetes organizations, and the Network of National Libraries of Medicine Region 4. Using a multipronged approach, we will reach DHH people living with diabetes, clinicians who care for DHH people living with diabetes, and medical librarians. We expect that providing culturally and linguistically tailored diabetes website will significantly reduce health disparities in the DHH community.