Abstract Details

<< Back to Schedule

10/09/2015  |   3:00 PM - 4:15 PM   |  SAC Auditorium

Bilingual Cancer Genetics Materials: Education, Advocacy, and Accessibility

Current advanced understanding of genetics and increasing availability of personalized medicine such as genetic counseling and testing could help prevent or treat cancer. Much health information is available online, however, Deaf individuals whose primary language is sign language are at a disadvantage since much of the information is in print of a spoken language. The issues of human and linguistic rights regarding access to preventive and personalized medicine are often not taken into careful consideration toward sign language users. The need for developing health information in sign language is warranted in order to provide an equitable access to their health, and as result, saving their lives. Our research team addresses this issue by developing educational materials in both ASL and English about the importance of learning about family health history, specifically cancer genetics. Through an online bilingual format where ASL video clips with English subtitle options are provided, Deaf individuals located in any geographical area can benefit from learning in their primary language and accessing specific medical terminology in written English. The goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of the developed bilingual materials. We developed pre- and post-test surveys to compare effectiveness of the educational materials in bilingual format to a monolingual (written English) format. The development of signed materials was designed specifically toward a wider range of users from individuals who may have minimal education to college educated individuals. The use of graphic aids, deaf-centric videography, and generic and clear concepts in ASL with emphasis on visual concepts is based on a cognitive linguistic approach. The final product of the project’s education modules (video, website, and booklet) will be shown to provide a glimpse of the developed bilingual materials. www.aslcangergenetics.org

• 1. Participants will learn the best practice to provide complex concepts in both languages: ASL and English to the low incidence disability group, deaf community.
• 2. Participants will learn how the application of the visual media: print, web, and video are designed for the benefit of the dead community.

Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.

Handouts:
No handouts have been uploaded.

Patrick Boudreault (Primary Presenter), Gallaudet University, patrick.boudreault@gallaudet.edu;
Dr. Boudreault is an Associate Professor of the Department of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University.