Easy-to-Read Content Effectiveness Evaluation

Summary

Individuals with intellectual disabilities face challenges in accessing medical services and health education due to communication barriers and limited support tools. Traditional information delivery methods often fail to meet their needs, leading to unequal access to preventive care and early screening.

This integrated program aims to promote visual health among individuals with intellectual disabilities through the development and implementation of inclusive technologies. The program consists of three sub-projects:

1. Visual Health Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Information Platform for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - developing accessible health materials for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.
2. Development and Promotion of a Digital Visual Health Screening System for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - designed to support early detection and intervention tailored to this population.
3. Development of a Healthcare Access Platform and Assistive Technologies for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - reducing communication barriers during medical visits through technological support.

Previously, our team developed and tested easy-to-read (ETR) materials with adults with intellectual disabilities, focusing on medical visits, eye diseases, and eye care. Once validated, these materials are planned to be adapted into digital versions and serve as the foundation for an online platform.

To evaluate the effectiveness of ETR content, we will conduct an experimental study with 250 children and adolescents with special needs from across Taipei and New Taipei City in Taiwan. Participants will receive different types of visual health education, and outcomes will be measured by improvements in their knowledge. This study aims to validate the impact of ETR resources in reducing health information inequality and improving visual health awareness in this underserved population.

Conditions

• Health Knowledge
• Intellectual Developmental Disorder
• Visual Impairment

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Standard Visual Health Education

Participants receive conventional eye health education using standard visual materials, explained by an instructor.

BEHAVIORAL

Easy-Read Instructor-Guided Education

Participants receive Easy-Read health education through 16 simplified images with instructor-guided explanation using plain language and pictorial content.

BEHAVIORAL

Easy-Read Audio-Based Self-Learning

Participants use a voice-assisted pen device to self-learn Easy-Read materials (16 images) with audio explanations, without additional teacher guidance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• National Taiwan University Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Li-Ting Tsai · National Taiwan University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-06-30

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Taiwan

Study Locations