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

> **NIH NIH G08** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $150,000

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10892896
- **Project number:** 5G08LM014312-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHELLE L LITCHMAN
- **Activity code:** G08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $150,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10892896

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10892896, Improving Access to Diabetes Information for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations (5G08LM014312-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10892896. Licensed CC0.

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