ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO NATIONAL DPP RECRUITMENT AND ENROLLMENT

Inclusion barriers. By building relationships and partnering with disability organizations and advocates, LCP programs can increase their capacity for inclusion, which in turn may help to increase participation among persons with disabilities. Disability partners can help programs to be proactively mindful of inclusion and offer options for persons with disabilities to participate in a program from the outset; for example, ensuring ramp access near the room where the program is held.

Medical barriers. Many persons with disabilities must adhere to individualized medical regimens that include diet, exercise, therapies, and medication. Introducing an LCP that includes new approaches to healthy lifestyles may conflict with an individual’s medical therapies already in place; programs can work with participants and their health care providers to minimize these barriers.

Accessibility and accommodations. Individuals with disabilities often require accommodations to ensure inclusion and their full program participation. Programs and coaches are trained to interview new participants and assess their individual needs, in a tactful and respectful manner, to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. This may include developing or providing accessible websites, sign language interpreters, assistive technologies, written instructions, larger print materials, elevators or first-floor meeting spaces, and weight scales that accommodate wheelchairs, among others.

Some physical barriers that can limit and impede access include stairs at the entrance to a building; services located on floors without access to an elevator; inaccessible doorways and rooms that do not accommodate a wheelchair; inaccessible rest rooms without space for wheelchair access or assistive rails; buildings and rooms with poor acoustics or lack of assistive hearing devices; health services located far from where most persons live; and health facilities that are poorly lit with no clear signage, making it confusing and difficult for persons with disabilities to find their way around.

Barriers to Learning. A recommended resource for LCPs is Prevent T2 for All, which is an adaptation of Prevent T2 , the National DPP lifestyle change program. The adaptations focus on accommodating persons who have vision, hearing, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living disabilities. This inclusive program is designed to promote modest weight loss, increased physical activity, and other lifestyle changes for adults diagnosed with prediabetes.