Creating Better Health Information for People with Sensory Disabilities
Official title: DEVELOPING PATIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS WITH SENSORY DISABILITIES
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11143893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to create easy-to-understand health information for adults who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or have low vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $149,999 |
| NIH project number | 5G08LM014295-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This work is designed to benefit adults who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or have low vision and struggle with accessing health information.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sensory disabilities or those who already have excellent access to tailored health information may not directly benefit from these specific materials.
What this research studies
Many adults who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or have low vision face challenges getting the health information they need, leading to poorer health. Current health education resources are often not accessible or tailored for these individuals, making it harder to manage their health and plan for future care. This project will first understand the specific information and accessibility needs of people with sensory disabilities. Then, it will use this knowledge to create new, accessible digital and non-digital health education materials, focusing on topics like advance care planning and diabetes prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide clearer, more accessible health education resources, helping people with sensory disabilities better understand and manage their health.
How similar studies have gone: While the need for accessible health information is recognized, this project aims to develop best practices and new materials, building on prior research that identified existing disparities.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: James, Tyler G — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: James, Tyler G
Related research
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Creating educational materials for patients with sensory disabilities
This study is all about making health information easier to understand for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have serious vision problems, so they can better manage their health and make informed decisions.
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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.