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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Readability of EHDI Parent Information Materials' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): health literacy, readability Learning Objectives: 1. Define health literacy 2. Understand published readability formulas 3. Assess usefulness of EHDI brochures based on readability characteristics Abstract: The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (2003) defines literacy as both task-based (everyday tasks adults can and cannot perform) and skills-based (knowledge and skills adults must do to perform these tasks). The NAAL is the most comprehensive measure of adult literacy and represents a national assessment of English literacy among American adults age 16 and older, providing information to researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the general public. The NAAL task categories are prose, document, and quantitative literacy assessments. Results of this report indicate no significant change from 1992 to 2003 in prose and document literacy with a slight increase in quantitative skills. According to NAAL, approximately 14% of U.S. adults possess skills in the lowest level of document literacy (below basic literacy). In a more recent study specific to parents, Yin et al., (2009) reported that 29.7% of U.S. parents have limited health literacy skills ranking in the below-basic/basic health literacy categories. This information is pertinent to EHDI programs and must be taken into consideration in designing written information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the readability of EHDI brochures posted on the NCHAM website for 50 states and to determine the average reading level based on published formulas providing an index of grade equivalent readability based on the number of words, length of words, length of sentences, etc. Results show average readability scores by formula. Implications for decreasing literacy demands for parents, reducing barriers to access of services and for facilitating informed parental decision making are provided. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Samuel Atcherson - Author University of Arkansas at Little Rock      Credentials: Ph.D., CCC-A      Other Affiliations: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Arkansas Childrens Hospital       Samuel Atcherson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He also has an appointment at Arkansas Children's Hospital.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Richard Zraick - Author University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences      Credentials: Ph.D., CCC-SLP      Other Affiliations: University of Arkansas at Little Rock       Richard Zraick is a professor in the Deparment of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and University of Arkansas at Little Rock.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Nannette Nicholson - POC,Primary Presenter,Author University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences      Credentials: Ph.D., CCC-A      Other Affiliations: University of Arkansas at Little Rock Arkansas Children's Hospital       Nannette Nicholson is an Associate Professor and Director of Audiology in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In addition, she has an appointment at Arkansas Children's Hospital. She serves on the Arkansas Infant Hearing Advisory Board, and is on the Board of Directors for Arkansas Hands and Voices.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Lauren Schlagenhauf - Co-Presenter,Author University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences      Credentials: B.S.       Lauren Schlagenhauf is a 1st year Au.D. student in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -