Using video blogs as a community engagement tool to overcome research knowledge gaps in Deaf communities

Lack of understanding of health disparities research concepts among historically overlooked communities is a barrier to effective participation in community-based participatory research (CBPR). Explanations of research concepts to uninformed community members have scarcely been adapted to the target community's preferred language. Educating in a culturally and linguistically appropriate approach may promote greater participation, but little is known about how to do this in Deaf communities. To further inform Deaf Americans about research concepts in their preferred language, we solicited research topics from our CBPR partners and translated the content into American Sign Language (ASL) in a video blog (vlog) format. This process was not a direct translation; rather, it was an adaptation by instilling culturally and linguistically appropriate explanations to fill in common knowledge gaps while maintaining the “learning points” from the source material. Five vlogs were created to illustrate research concepts (e.g., “what is informed consent?”). The vlogs were posted on the Internet through a website administered by the National Center for Deaf Health Research which garnered nearly 400 hits in two months. Web statistics revealed that 80% of the viewers used a search engine to find the vlogs. Deaf individuals may become more involved with research with the confidence that research is not an exclusive domain, but one that stands to benefit their community. Creating culturally and linguistically appropriate teaching tools through the Internet may aid in demystifying research among communities.