AI interactive consent forms for Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing women
Official title: AI-powered interactive consent form to advance health equity among deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing women
Funded at Gallaudet University · NIH-11231624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
An AI-driven, sign-language-friendly consent tool will present cancer-related information to help Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing women understand care and screening options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Gallaudet University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $201,600 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DC021718-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult women who are Deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing and who use American Sign Language, especially those who face communication barriers to cancer screening or care.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not use ASL, men, or patients whose primary barriers are unrelated to communication or consent comprehension may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
If you take part, you would see consent information and cancer screening materials delivered in American Sign Language through an AI-supported interface and ASL-proficient community health workers. The team will adapt existing SNAP and REPEAT technology to create interactive, practice-based learning and navigation supports tailored to ASL users. You may be asked to try the tools, work with a trained ASL community health worker, and give feedback about clarity and usefulness. The project aims to improve understanding, help you follow screening or treatment steps, and make cancer care easier to navigate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could make consent and cancer information easier to understand and increase cancer screening and follow-up for ASL users.
How similar studies have gone: Community health worker programs and ASL-accessible materials have improved communication in related settings, and the SNAP/REPEAT platforms offer tested tools, but AI-powered interactive consent for DDBHH women is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Gallaudet University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kushalnagar, Poorna — Gallaudet University
- Study coordinator: Kushalnagar, Poorna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.