Communication

Communication Resources

What we say matters. Ensure that accessibility and inclusion are priorities when developing and delivering all forms of communication.

View Tools

Tools

Use these tools to make all communications and media inclusive of people with disabilities.

Community Health Inclusion Communication Scorecard

This scorecard allows individuals to determine the level of inclusion of individuals messages, campaigns and overall communication strategies to ensure they are effectively reaching the broadest audience possible.

Inclusive Healthy Communities

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create and launch a national pilot project, Inclusive Healthy Communities, to make the healthiest choices the easiest choices across all elements of the community in 10 localities across five states nationwide. Communication is a key component of the initiative.

Best Practices

Myriad resources exist to ensure effective, inclusive communication with and about people with disabilities. Learn more about best practices and approaches from these national leaders in disability and health.

Inclusive Communication Tools

This NCHPAD resource features guidance on a variety of communication and media types and strategies, including effective communication, internet and social media and written, audio and video messaging.

Resource Links

General Disability Awareness
First impressions are incredibly important. This video features a physical educator interacting with a student with a disability for the first time, and can be extrapolated over other first and future interactions with individuals with disabilities. It also provides broader information on disability communication and etiquette.
Resources for Communicating with Individuals with Disability
This comprehensive set of links features guideline and etiquette recommendations for communicating with and about people with disabilities, effective communication and person-/people-first language.
Promoting Health Literacy
This resource explains and provides guidance to health care providers on how to promote and improve health literacy among those they serve.
Recruiting People with Disabilities
A key element of inclusion in health programming and other endeavors is to create recruitment and other communication materials that are inclusive. Learn more about strategies to engage people with disabilities, including in areas of imaging, accessibility, outreach and affordability.
DocTalk: Prescribe Exercise
It’s incredibly important for doctors and other practitioners to work with their clients to not only treat existing conditions, but also encourage physical activity that can help manage and prevent future negative health impacts. Learn more about tips doctors can provide here.
How to Interact with Customers with a Disability
One barrier to inclusion can be a failure or uncertainty around how to communicate and otherwise interact with customers with disabilities. Learn some basic tips here.