Inclusive Product Development

Background:

Inclusive, accessible communications help reduce stigma, promote participation, and advance health equity. Communication products should represent people in the communities for whom they are intended. Products should adapt to the specific cultural, linguistic, environmental, and historical situation of your audience.

Program background:

We will discuss developing inclusive products with consideration for the following key principles:

• Clear and Accessible Communication - Ensure that everyone, including persons with disabilities, has access to timely, accurate, and relevant information. Use plain language that is accessible and meaningful to your audience. Apply people and identity-first language and use audience-preferred terms.
• Variability of Social Determinants of Health - Recognize that some of your audience's actions may be impacted by their cultural norms, beliefs, or practices. Tailor communications based on the unique circumstances of different populations.
• Culturally Appropriate Imagery and Tone - Consider the audience of focus, the intended use, and planned images. Make sure images support, not detract from messages and that there is appropriate and diverse audience representation.
• Audience-centered engagement - Include your intended audience in the decision-making and development process. Analyze barriers that need to be addressed to better serve different audiences at different levels and within different contexts.

• Include Health Equity Indicators in Performance Monitoring - Performance monitoring can track health equity insights, providing an opportunity to monitor progress and identify needed corrections in specific communities.
• Use Culturally Appropriate Tools - Using culturally appropriate tools and methodologies to gather data is key for performance and dissemination measures.
• Disseminate the Results of Equity-Oriented Evaluations - Increase awareness and share findings and reports of what works and what may be a promising practice to reach key audiences.

Evaluation Methods and Results: N/A

Conclusions: N/A

Implications for research and/or practice:

We will share inclusive communications tactics such as authentic storytelling that demonstrate how to effectively engage, build trust and resonate with audiences (i.e., tribal and older adults).