Communication Access and Participation Model
Rural Healthcare Communication Access & Participation Initiative
Strong Culture is developing a coordinated planning model to strengthen real-time communication access and participation for Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, low-vision, and ASL-using people across healthcare, residential, in-home, and community-care 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.
- 01Jefferson County
- 02Washington County
- 03Wood County
- 04Marinette 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
Planning area context
Population information will be published with complete sourcing.
Strong Culture is reviewing available rural and disability population data for the proposed planning area. Figures will be used only with clear sources, methodology, and limits; they will not be presented as direct counts of DeafBlind residents or people who use a particular language or communication method.
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 role-based healthcare communication curriculum and competency framework
- 08Community-engagement processes
- 09Data and evaluation measures
- 10A sustainability framework
- 11Recommendations for a possible future implementation pilot
Role-based curriculum and competencies
Clarify what each role needs to know and do.
The proposed curriculum and competency framework would define practical expectations by role—for staff who identify communication needs, staff who coordinate access, care-team members who communicate in real time, and leaders or site champions responsible for workflows. Exact competencies would be developed and validated through planning and community input.
An important boundary
Education supports access; it does not replace it.
This education is intended to help staff recognize communication needs, activate appropriate access processes, and support meaningful participation. It does not replace qualified interpreters, other appropriate communication-access professionals, auxiliary aids and services, or legally required accommodations.
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.
Strong Culture’s proposed role
Community engagement, communication access, and workforce development.
Strong Culture brings community-rooted facilitation, communication-access expertise, training design, and workforce-development capacity to this developing initiative. For potential grant applicants, healthcare systems, public agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations, Strong Culture can help translate community priorities into practical participation strategies, staff competencies, accessible engagement processes, and clearer communication workflows.
In a funded or collaboratively supported planning process, Strong Culture could contribute as a project-specific community engagement, communication-access, and workforce-development partner.
Potential contributions
Capacity Strong Culture can bring
- Community listening and accessible engagement
- Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, low-vision, and ASL-using perspectives
- Rural relationship development and cross-sector facilitation
- Role-based curriculum and staff competency development
- Workforce education, keynotes, briefings, and presentations
- Accessible feedback and participation processes
Participation would be project-specific and subject to mutual agreement. This description does not imply a funding award, agency approval, endorsement, or formal partnership.
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.