Author: Christine Craig, MS, RDN, CDCES
Founder: Nutrition for Daily Living
Did you know that people with diabetes are more likely to experience hearing loss?
At the June 2026 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, Dr. Michelle Litchman presented a new American Sign Language (ASL)1-based DSMES resource for individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.
DeafDiabetesCan.org was created to ensure that DSMES content is delivered in a linguistically appropriate format.
Link Between Hearing Loss and Diabetes
In the US, about 11 million people are deaf or hard-of-hearing and experience diabetes at much higher rates than hearing populations. They are 3.2 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and 1.6 times more likely to be at risk.3 Additionally, people with diabetes are more likely to experience hearing loss, and in some cases, diabetes and deafness co-occur due to genetic conditions. A lack of accessible health information and diabetes education in ASL is a key equity barrier, and about half of healthcare encounters occur without a qualified ASL interpreter.3 As a result, traditional DSMES approaches may not fully support understanding, engagement, or sustained behavior change, causing disparities in care.
Increasing ASL Access to People with Diabetes
DeafDiabetesCan.org was developed jointly by University of Utah researchers and a Community Advisory Board, with both groups collaborating throughout planning, content creation and review. Its goal is to provide diabetes education in ASL (supported by English captions and voiceover) to enhance accessibility for a range of users. Current content includes a diabetes ASL dictionary, evidence-based educational videos aligned with basic principles of diabetes care, and DSMES topics including glucose monitoring, nutrition, medications, and ongoing support for daily self-care behaviors. A link to find ASL interpreters is also available. In addition, tips for both persons living with deafness and diabetes and the clinician are available.
Getting the word out about Equitable Care
Christine Craig, MS, RDN, CDCES
Founder: Nutrition for Daily Living
References:
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). American Sign Language. National Institutes of Health. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/american-sign-language
- University of Utah Health. First diabetes website in ASL launches. @theU. Published January 14, 2026. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/first-diabetes-website-in-asl-launches/
- Hughes AS, Mirus K, Heydarian NM, Litchman ML. Diabetes Care Disparities in Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision Populations. Curr Diab Rep. 2024 Dec 30;25(1):14. doi: 10.1007/s11892-024-01565-z.
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes*; 5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care 1 January 2026; 49 (Supplement_1): S89–S131. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc26-S005
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