Communication Access and Participation Model
Improving Communication Access Across Rural Care
Strong Culture is developing a coordinated planning model to improve how communication needs are identified, documented, transferred, and supported across healthcare, residential, in-home, and community settings in rural and semi-rural Wisconsin.
Proposed planning initiative · Development and funding stage
Who the project is intended to support
Communication access begins with the person.
The proposed project focuses on Priority Communication-Access Populations. People within and across these communities may use different languages, tools, supports, and communication approaches. The model would be developed around individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all response.
- DeafBlind individuals
- People with combined serious hearing and vision difficulty
- Deaf individuals
- Hard-of-hearing individuals
- People with low vision
- People who primarily communicate through American Sign Language
Current grant-planning focus
Four Wisconsin counties
The current proposed planning area reflects this grant-planning focus. It does not mean Strong Culture currently provides services throughout all four counties. If developed and validated, the model could later inform work in other Wisconsin communities.
- 01Dodge County
- 02Jefferson County
- 03Walworth County
- 04Washington County
The documented challenge
Communication needs can be missed across care settings and transitions.
Communication access may be inconsistent when information, supports, and responsibility do not move with the person. These breakdowns can create confusion, limit participation, or add coordination burdens without implying that every breakdown causes harm.
Where gaps may occur
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Emergency departments
- Rehabilitation settings
- Residential care
- In-home care
- Pharmacy services
- Therapy appointments
- Community-based services
- Transitions between care settings
Why gaps may occur
- Communication preferences are not identified
- Access needs are not documented clearly
- Information does not follow the person across settings
- Appropriate interpreters or communication supports are difficult to locate
- Staff rely on untrained communication methods
- Rural providers lack clear referral or response pathways
- Individuals and families must repeatedly coordinate access on their own
Preliminary planning estimates
A four-county planning view
Residents with hearing difficulty
Residents with vision difficulty
Residents with both serious hearing and vision difficulty
Planning note: These figures are planning estimates and are not direct counts of DeafBlind residents or people who use a particular language or communication method.
Sources and methodology: to be added before publication.
What the planning project would produce
Build the groundwork before considering a pilot.
During a funded planning period, Strong Culture and project partners would develop, test, and validate the following—not present them as completed deliverables.
- 01A partner and stakeholder map
- 02A communication-access workforce and resource map
- 03Site-readiness assessments
- 04Referral and response workflows
- 05Communication-access procedures across care transitions
- 06Site-champion roles
- 07A foundational staff competency and training framework
- 08Community-engagement processes
- 09Data and evaluation measures
- 10A sustainability framework
- 11Recommendations for a possible future implementation pilot
Bringing care closer to home
Help local providers become more prepared.
The long-term goal is to help providers recognize communication needs, activate appropriate supports, coordinate with qualified professionals, and maintain access across care transitions.
Some people may still need regional or specialized providers. The model would not assume that every specialized service can or should be delivered locally.
Why coordination matters
Communication access can support
- Clearer understanding of symptoms and care instructions
- Greater participation in healthcare decisions
- Better coordination among people, families, providers, and support professionals
- More consistent care transitions
- Better preparation before appointments and procedures
- Reduced dependence on informal or unqualified communication methods
No medical outcome or cost savings are guaranteed.
Current project status
Development and funding stage
Strong Culture is pursuing planning support while identifying potential partners and advisors. The planning model may change in response to community and partner input. Any future implementation would depend on funding, partnership commitments, and planning findings.
Ways to participate
Many perspectives are needed to plan this well.
Community Members
DeafBlind, Deaf, hard-of-hearing, low-vision, ASL-using, and family or support-network participants interested in sharing experiences and priorities.
Share community prioritiesHealthcare and Care Providers
Hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation providers, residential providers, in-home care agencies, pharmacies, and community health organizations.
Explore a provider partnershipCommunication-Access Professionals
Interpreters, tactile ASL professionals, support service providers, accessibility specialists, and other qualified professionals.
Contribute access expertiseTraining and Workforce Partners
Colleges, universities, workforce organizations, training providers, and professional associations.
Discuss workforce collaborationCommunity Organizations
Disability organizations, independent living centers, advocacy groups, aging organizations, and rural community partners.
Connect as a community partnerFunders and Sponsors
Foundations, healthcare organizations, businesses, public agencies, and community partners interested in supporting planning or future implementation.
Discuss project supportFunding and sponsorship conversations
Support the Development of the Project
Potential future support may help fund community engagement, communication-access services, rural travel, provider and site assessment, workforce and resource mapping, training-framework development, partnership coordination, data and evaluation planning, and development of an initial demonstration model.
No payments or donations are collected on this page.
Project contact
Start a project conversation.
Tell us how you or your organization would like to participate, partner, support the planning work, or receive updates.
You may also describe any accessibility or communication preferences that would help Strong Culture respond. Complete the secure project inquiry form below.
About this planning initiative
This page describes a developing planning initiative. Strong Culture is not providing medical care, emergency assistance, individual clinical recommendations, legal services, case management, or interpreter referrals through this page. If you are experiencing an emergency, contact the appropriate local emergency service.