141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

290913
Ecam: A virtual health information one-stop for enhancing SUD treatment services for consumers with co-occurring disabilities

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Jared Embree, MA , Department of Community Health, Wright State University, Kettering, OH
Josephine Wilson, DDS, PhD , Substance Abuse Resources and Disability Issues Program, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
Jon-Michael Huber, BA , Department of Community Health, Wright State University, Kettering, OH
The eCAM program was designed to address the barriers to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment faced by consumers with co-existing disabilities, by utilizing culturally appropriate cessation and recovery support services via e-therapy. The program implemented improvements for universal access to online materials (audio versions, screen reader compatibility, etc.), and development of personal web portals tailored to each consumers individual needs. Emphasis was placed on making interactions and resources as accessible as possible, both culturally and technologically. In addition, open source solutions were used whenever possible to reduce cost and ease replication of the study. Because access to technology is as diverse as the types of accommodations required to facilitate recovery, every effort was made to minimize barriers across the program. This included enhancements from language choice, and the ability to tailor resources to match individual consumer's needs, to optimizing portals to work across major platforms, browsers, and mobile devices. CAM populations include Deaf/HH, making access to resources in American Sign Language a priority. Additionally, eCAM participants had an average reading level of 8th grade, with 39.08% scoring at that grade level or lower; necessitating materials in simple English and audio formats. Electronic reminders of upcoming appointments were sent by email and text in response to chronic absenteeism and high no-show rates among traditional SUD consumers, resulting in a decrease in no-show rates. By meeting consumers where they are and making materials accessible from the beginning, the eCAM program represents an open-source alternative to commercial applications that is secure and accessible.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the importance of accessible web design across platforms and devices. Discuss culturally and linguistically appropriate accommodation as they relate to e-therapy. Discuss substance abuse prevalence in the population described.

Keywords: Disability, Substance Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been an evaluator on multiple federally funded grants focusing on e-therapy, Deafness, disability, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, and suicide. I am interested in improving accessible solutions for people with disabilities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.