Our Projects

Public Health Research

Deaf Weight Wise: Implementation Research (2019-2024)

Studying the process of implementing the Deaf Weight Wise intervention as a community-based program with partner sites in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse; Western and Central New York State.

Deaf Weight Wise 2.0 (2014-2019)

Adaptation of Deaf Weight Wise for ages 21 to 40, and for use in 1:1 counseling delivered over videophone. Evaluated with a randomized clinical trial with adults ages 21-70.

Deaf Weight Wise (2009-2014)

A healthy lifestyle intervention, based on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), adapted for use with Deaf sign language users and evaluated with a randomized clinical trial.

Public Health Surveillance & Programs

Rochester Accessibility Survey: REDCap Module

Using the module, survey makers can enable videos for each survey question and answer, enabling each item to be presented in different sign language modalities; survey takers can also customize text and background features to enhance accessibility. NCDHR worked with the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR) to develop the module and it is available for free for institutions with REDCap systems.

Healthy Living with Hearing Loss (HL2)

A pilot research project called "HL2 Workplace Tool Kit." The goal of this project is to improve communication at work, maintain employment, and enhance quality of life with people with hearing loss who work.

Deaf Health Survey

Accessible public health surveillance data collection tool that uses RPRC/NCDHR custom software to present survey items in sign language via video. The initial Rochester Deaf Health Survey (2008) is the first time a deaf community has used its own data to inform community health priorities.

Deaf2 HIV Testing Video Line

Established and evaluated a pilot program to connect NYS Deaf sign language users seeking HIV testing with pre and post-test counseling in ASL. Raised awareness with NYS Deaf communities regarding accessible information, testing, and care.

Education

Deaf Strong Hospital

An experiential educational activity in which deaf community members role-play healthcare system personnel, and medical students are assigned symptoms and must navigate a healthcare system in which the primary language is American Sign Language.