National Center for Deaf Health Research

04/13/2026

Attention New York State SNAP recipients:

The federal government has implemented new work requirements to continue receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, benefits.

To learn what this means for you, watch the ASL video below shared by the NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer. Stay informed and make sure you understand how these changes may affect your benefits.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance American Sign Language (ASL) video on new rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S...

04/10/2026

Ready. Set. Action! 🌱

Public health is all around us—it’s in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the spaces where we live, walk, and connect. This National Public Health Week, we’re reminded that strong communities start with everyday actions and local leadership.

Below are a few snapshots of public health in action: an NCDHR team photo, coordinators packing and preparing for an upcoming event, and a screenshot from a virtual meeting with our community partners—all contributing to public health in their own ways.

Image Description:

Zoom screenshot photo:
A screenshot of a virtual meeting with members of the Local Partner Advisory Board (LPAB). Twelve participants appear in a grid of Zoom windows, smiling and looking at their cameras from offices and home workspaces. The group includes researcher coordinators, community partners, and an ASL interpreter. The background of the graphic is a blue gradient. At the bottom of the image are the logos for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR) and the University of Rochester Medical Center

NCDHR Team:
Four colleagues stand together on an indoor staircase in a modern building with large windows and glass railings. One person stands in the foreground smiling at the camera, wearing glasses and a maroon polo shirt with a University of Rochester ID badge. Three others stand a few steps above: one person with short dark hair and glasses wearing a black pullover, another person with long blonde hair and glasses wearing a dark cardigan over a blue top, and another person with long light-brown hair wearing a purple sweater. All four are facing the camera and smiling.

Working coordinators:
Three colleagues sit around a small round table in an office, smiling and working together to prepare materials. One person holds a green hand weight while another examines a small item, and the third person holds a green card. On the table are bags of small white balls, markers, and other supplies being sorted into a box. Behind them is a whiteboard with handwritten notes about DWW (Deaf Weight Wise) topics and meeting reminders. Office shelves filled with folders, binders, and supplies line the wall, creating a casual behind-the-scenes look at teamwork and preparation.

04/08/2026

Join Our Team!

NCDHR is currently hiring a Manager – Business Administration. If you’re interested in supporting work that advances Deaf health research and community partnerships, we encourage you to apply.

Check out the flyer for the URL to the full job description and application details.

Flyer Description:

Logos in overhead: 1) National Center for Deaf Health Research, 2) University of Rochester Medical Center

Header: JOIN OUR TEAM: Manager, Business Administration

The Rochester Prevention Research Center (RPRC): National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR) is a CDC-funded Prevention Research Center. The RPRC is a division of the URMC Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

Past and ongoing projects include the development and deployment of sign language-based health risk behavior surveys for use with deaf populations, surveys of attitudes regarding healthcare providers and systems, the development and testing of health promotion interventions in deaf populations, and the design and implementation of clinical trials.

This role is a leadership position with research responsibilities. This role will have wide latitude for independent judgment and will be expected to function independently on a day-to-day basis to support, facilitate, manage and advance all research-related activities for RPRC.

For full Job Description and to apply, go to the University of Rochester Human Resources website: www.rochester.edu/human-resources/careers/ Click “search all staff jobs” Then search “R267664"

04/06/2026

Ready. Set. Action! 💚

National Public Health Week is a time to come together and recognize the people, partnerships, and systems that help keep our communities healthy. From safe food and clean water to disease prevention and emergency response, strong collaboration makes it all possible.

So what can you do?
✔ Stay informed
✔ Support public health efforts in your community
✔ Start conversations that raise awareness

Every action counts—and together, we can make a difference.

Want to learn more? Visit nphw.org to watch a video and join their mailing list to stay connected.

04/03/2026

Rochester friends, reminder!

Partners in Deaf Health, Inc. will be hosting this year’s Finger Lakes Deaf Health Fair on Saturday, April 11, from 10 AM – 3 PM at Monroe Community Hospital. NCDHR will be present, and we look forward to greeting you there!

How do you register? Check out the video below from Partners in Deaf Health! Be sure to follow their page for updates.

03/27/2026

In case you missed it, our current grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enables us to study how Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) can become a community-led program with partners across the nation.

So, what does a DWW intervention look like? How can you benefit from the information shared? Why might you consider joining when the opportunity becomes available? Earl, a research coordinator here, offers a brief preview of a typical DWW intervention group. In this video, he introduces the DWW Exercise Library and explains how participants can benefit from this resource.

Accessibility notes: Video is in ASL with English subtitles. Transcript included with video description below.

Immediately after, another slide appears showing a title “Mock Session of DWW Discussion: Getting Ready to Exercise.” Below the title, a disclaimer note clarifies that the individuals shown in the upcoming segment are DWW Study Team members, not actual study participants. It emphasizes that the content is provided for informational purposes only. In the lower left corner, the NCDHR (National Center for Deaf Health Research) logo is displayed, indicating institutional affiliation. Along the bottom right, there are three circular icons: one with a heart symbol, another with a group of abstract human figures in a circle, and a third with a fork, all representing themes of health, community, and nutrition. Below these icons is the green and black Deaf Weight Wise program logo.

The video transitions into a Zoom video conference session featuring six individuals, arranged in a 3x2 grid. Each participant appears to be situated in a home and office setting. In the top row, three participants are shown. On the left, a woman with curly dark hair wears a pink button-up top and sits in a kitchen area. In the center, a man is wearing a maroon shirt. On the right, a woman in a floral top sits in a warmly decorated room with framed art, a table lamp, and hanging plants. In the bottom row, from left to right, the first woman wears glasses and has long hair, seated at a desk with an orchid in the background. The middle woman, also wearing glasses and a dark top, appears to be in an office with blue walls. The last participant, to the right, has long wavy hair and is wearing a white shirt with the partially visible text “Be W...,” possibly related to the program branding. She is seated next to a large printer and papers.

Earl begins: “Ok, hello everyone! So, this is Session #2 of the curriculum. The last part will be will be about the DWW Exercise Library. The overall DWW experience includes monitoring weight and eating habits, but becoming more active. Whether this means more exercising in the gym or walking… the point is to be more active and this should be part of your overall DWW experience. So, in this session, the exercise part will take place during the last half-hour.”

Earl continues: “Yes, that's correct. After each session your Counselor will send an email about the upcoming activity whether we will be exercising or having a "Taste-it!" so you're aware. Some sessions will encourage you to bring recipe or comfortable clothes for exercising. This will be shared in an email after you complete your Action Plan. Yes, Kelly?”

Kelly begins: “I'm sorry, you said I have to?”

Earl: “Have to what?”

Kelly: “I have to stay for exercise and other activities each week.”

Earl: “The exercising part is one part of the overall DWW experience. This is not a required activity, but is strongly encouraged. If you can't stay, that's fine. It's entirely up to you. That's why they're introduced at the end of the session. We will let you know when it is time. If you can't or don't want to stay, you can leave if you want to. But it remains there as part of the overall. Before we start, since we will be doing Core Training we will warm up with some stretches.”

The video transitions into a colorful, circular infographic titled “Warm-Up” from the Deaf Weight Wise program. It presents a sequence of warm-up exercises designed to gradually increase heart rate, improve flexibility, and prepare the muscles for more strenuous activity. The infographic resembles a wheel or clock, with each segment displaying a specific exercise using photos of individuals demonstrating the movements. The exercises are arranged in a clockwise sequence, starting with neck rotations in the green section and proceeding through ten activities.

Each segment is labeled with a number and title:
Neck Rotations
Torso Rotations
Arm Rotations
Hip Circles
Leg Swings
Loose Limbs
Partial Reverse Lunges
Partial Squat to Reach
Skaters
Butt Kicks

The directions at the top of the image explain that each exercise should be performed 10 times at your own pace, with the entire set taking 5–10 minutes. At the bottom of the image is a safety disclaimer, advising users to stop immediately and contact a doctor if experiencing pain or difficulty breathing, and reminding users to never hold their breath during exercise.

Earl continues: “You will see different types of stretching activities and suggestions to loosen up for 5 minutes before we get into substantial exercising activities.”

The video ends with a final slide image that displays a green background featuring various contact details and social media platforms for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). urmc.edu/ncdhr. facebook.com/rochesterprc. NCDHR@urmc.rochester.edu. Instagram: , (VP) (585) 228-2299. youtube.com/user/NCDHRResearch

03/20/2026

In case you missed it, our current grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enables us to study how Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) can become a community-led program with partners across the nation. Nicole, one of the DWW coaches involved in the implementation across Western and Central New York, shares her insights on leading an intervention group and how the experience has impacted her both professionally and personally.

Note: This post is for information-sharing purposes only. We are not currently enrolling participants in DWW.

Accessibility notes: Video is in ASL with English subtitles. Transcript included with video description below.

The video opens to white background with bold black text centered on the screen that reads: “Testimonial from Nicole, DWW Coach…” In the lower left corner is the logo for NCDHR (National Center for Deaf Health Research), with the text below it reading “Rochester Prevention Research Center.” On the lower right, there are three circular icons representing health and wellness themes, including a heart symbol, a group of stylized people in a circle, and a fork and spoon graphic. These are accompanied by the Deaf Weight Wise program name in stylized font.

The video transitions to Nicole, who is seated indoors in a warmly lit room with light-colored walls. Nicole has long, curly, dark hair and is wearing a navy-blue shirt with small white polka dots. Behind her, the background features lush green plants climbing along the wall and placed on shelves, adding a cozy and natural feel to the room.

Nicole begins, in ASL: “Hello! My name is Nicole, and I'm one of the DWW Counselors here in New York. I've been with this program for the past two years and I really enjoyed working with the participants and the team. This is one of the best experiences I've ever had because I got to work closely with people and see them learn grow and thrive! The goal is to have a better and healthier lifestyle and once they have got that full understanding gain for their future, they are so grateful and honestly this is one of the best things that I've ever experienced. I have not only learned from them (DWW participants), but I've learned about myself too because what works for me doesn't mean it's working for them and vice versa, so it's a dual-learning process and journey.

One of the best experiences I had was with this participant. She is a grandmother. She noticed that when she started losing weight, she felt more energetic and saw herself spending more time with her granddaughter without feeling so tired and was able to keep up with her I mean, that was amazing! And she wanted what's best for her granddaughter so in that process, she also helped her own daughter to make better choices for her family. Wow! That was a ripple effect!

I truly believe this program will be a great asset to other programs currently out there nationwide not just within the State of New York but for everyone because for one, it’s in ASL so it's clearly fully accessible and shared life understanding and that's a win right there! And honestly, the Deaf community could benefit from this because if they see a nutritionist or visit a doctor an interpreter would have to be arranged, and it won't be as personal whereas in this group they get full support, understanding, and validation. So, I think it's worth it.

I look forward to continuing working with this program and seeing its expansion, and everyone thrives. Thank you!”

The video ends with a final slide image that displays a green background featuring various contact details and social media platforms for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). At the top left, there is an icon of a laptop screen with the text "www." followed by the website URL urmc.edu/ncdhr. On the top right, there is a blue Facebook logo next to the link facebook.com/rochesterprc. In the middle-left section, there is a circular blue icon of an envelope, indicating email contact, with the address NCDHR@urmc.rochester.edu. To the right of this is the Instagram handle , next to the multicolored Instagram logo. At the bottom left, a gray icon of a smartphone represents video phone (VP) contact with the number (585) 228-2299. Finally, at the bottom right, a link to their YouTube channel is provided: youtube.com/user/NCDHRResearch, accompanied by the red and white YouTube logo.

03/13/2026

In case you missed it, our current grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enables us to study how Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) can become a community-led program with partners across the nation. But what are the outcomes of DWW? Lori, a research coordinator here, briefly explains the four outcomes of the DWW intervention:

1. change in weight,
2. change in Body Mass Index (BMI),
3. change in Dietary Risk Assessment (DRA), and
4. change in Physical Activity Assessment (PAA).

Lori also highlights an external link to our DWW publication in the Obesity Journal, along with an ASL video that summarizes the publication. The links are included below for your reference.

Obesity Journal: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.23702
ASL Video: https://youtu.be/29qRI7ps2Dc?si=5W_Of4BA7rpLUPxY

Note: This post is for information-sharing purposes only. We are not currently enrolling participants in DWW.

Accessibility note: The video is presented in ASL with English subtitles. A full transcript is also included in the video description below.

The video opens with Lori DeWindt, Coordinator here at the NCDHR. Lori is a Caucasian woman with long, light brown hair and glasses, and wearing a dark-colored top. Lori is positioned slightly off-center in front of a light blue wall. Behind her, there is a white filing cabinet with several books and a red object on top, as well as a few small pictures or notes pinned to the wall.

Lori, in ASL: “There are four main DWW outcomes: 1) Change in weight; 2) Change in Body Mass Index (BMI); 3) Change in Dietary Risk Assessment (DRA), and 4) Change in Physical Activity Assessment (PAA).

The video transitions into another slide with an image showing the title "DWW improves outcomes for:" displayed prominently at the top in bold black text. Below the title, four categories are presented horizontally, each with a corresponding image and label: "Weight," "BMI Score," "Dietary Habits," and "Physical Activity." The "Weight" section features an image of a person stepping onto a bathroom scale. The "BMI Score" section displays a colorful chart ranging from underweight to clinically obese, using green, yellow, orange, and red color zones. The "Dietary Habits" section shows a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, bread, and dairy, arranged in an appealing layout. The "Physical Activity" section features cartoon illustrations of people engaged in various forms of exercise, such as running, jumping rope, swimming, and walking. The overall design visually supports the claim that the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) program positively impacts multiple health-related behaviors and outcomes.

Lori continues: “So, these are the four outcomes. On the next slide, you will see two QR codes. These are links to the article we published in the Obesity Journal. In addition to the written publication, we have an ASL video of that publication for Deaf community members to watch and learn about our work and the results.”

The video transitions into another slide with an image from a research presentation and publication in the journal Obesity, titled "Deaf Weight Wise: A novel randomized clinical trial with Deaf sign language users." At the top left, the Obesity journal logo and the subtitle "A Research Journal" are shown on a purple background. On the right side, the logo of The Obesity Society is displayed alongside a QR code. Another QR code appears on the lower left side of the slide. Beneath the title are three main sections. On the left, a photo collage shows individuals participating in physical activities such as lifting weights and exercising, emphasizing the practical, participatory nature of the program. In the center, Lori, a Caucasian woman, is describing the weekly activities of the study, with a subtitle that reads, “Each week included activities such as ‘Taste it.’” On the right, Earl, an African American man also describing the diagram explaining the randomized study design. The graphic depicts two groups: an "Experimental Group" receiving the intervention immediately and a "Control Group" with a delayed start. The subtitle below him reads, “right away whereas the Delayed group would wait a full year,” clarifying the study's phased implementation. The image as a whole emphasizes the accessibility and inclusivity of the study design, particularly for the Deaf community, through both visuals and signed communication.

The video ends with a final slide image that displays a green background featuring various contact details and social media platforms for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). At the top left, there is an icon of a laptop screen with the text "www." followed by the website URL urmc.edu/ncdhr. On the top right, there is a blue Facebook logo next to the link facebook.com/rochesterprc. In the middle-left section, there is a circular blue icon of an envelope, indicating email contact, with the address NCDHR@urmc.rochester.edu. To the right of this is the Instagram handle , next to the multicolored Instagram logo. At the bottom left, a gray icon of a smartphone represents video phone (VP) contact with the number (585) 228-2299. Finally, at the bottom right, a link to their YouTube channel is provided: youtube.com/user/NCDHRResearch, accompanied by the red and white YouTube logo.

03/09/2026

RIT/NTID and The Strong Museum of Play partner up for Deaf Day of Play – March 21

Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) has partnered with The Strong National Museum of Play to host Deaf Day of Play on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Throughout the day, students from NTID’s Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Education program will be at the museum providing ASL assistance to help make the experience more accessible for Deaf and signing visitors.

Check out the post below for more details!

Join us for Deaf Day of Play at the The Strong Museum of Play!

On Saturday, March 21, visitors can enjoy a day at the museum while connecting with the Deaf community. Students from RIT/NTID’s Bachelor of Science in Interpreting program will be on site providing pro bono interpreting support throughout the museum.

Stop by the admission desk, the Skyline Climb high-adventure course, the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, and other locations to access interpreting support during your visit.

🗓 Saturday, March 21, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

We hope to see you there for a day of exploration, connection, and play!



[Image Description: A flyer for Deaf Day of Play at the Strong National Museum of Play featuring a photo of individuals communicating in American Sign Language inside the museum’s garden area. The design includes RIT/NTID branding and the Strong National Museum of Play logo.]

03/06/2026

In case you missed it, our current grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enables us to study how Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) can become a community-led program with partners across the nation. But what is DWW? Lori, a research coordinator here, briefly introduces DWW, explains how it was adapted for use with the Deaf community, and shares what’s involved in this intervention.

Note: This post is for information-sharing purposes only. We at the NCDHR are not currently enrolling participants in DWW.

Accessibility note: The video is presented in ASL with English subtitles. A full transcript is also included in the video description below.

The video begins with an image on a plain white background and bold black text in the center that reads, “What is Deaf Weight Wise (DWW)?” In the bottom left corner, there is a logo for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR), with additional text underneath stating, “National Center for Deaf Health Research, Rochester Prevention Research Center.” On the bottom right, there are three circular icons: a green heart with a check mark, a stylized network of green and purple figures, and a green plate with a fork, representing themes of health and community. Below these icons is faint text that reads “Deaf Weight Wise.”

The video transitions to Lori, a Caucasian woman with long light brown hair and glasses, wearing a dark-colored top. She is positioned slightly off-center in front of a light blue wall. Behind her, there is a white filing cabinet with several books and a red object on top, as well as a few small pictures or notes pinned to the wall.

Lori begins in ASL: “CDC funding opportunity led to the first-ever Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT). What is DWW? DWW is an evidence-based intervention related to managing a healthy weight among deaf-ASL users. DWW was first adapted from University of North Carolina where they performed research study with their group. We then used their curriculum and adapted it for users within the Deaf community. For our Counselors, we use the deaf-to-deaf (peer) model which means Counselors who are Deaf themselves interacts with audience of deaf-ASL users to discuss about DWW. It is a 16-week program with a maintenance phase. During the 16-week program, teams meet for one 2-hour session each week. Discussion revolves around different types of healthy lifestyle information related to food, how to count calories and here is a list of the many different topics that the curriculum addresses.”

The video transitions into another slide with an image, showing this question “What is Deaf Weight Wise (DWW)?” on the top, and describes that the program is adapted from the Weight Wise program at the University of North Carolina and the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). It states that all DWW counselors are Deaf and fluent in ASL, trained by Deaf DWW trainers, and that participants are also Deaf ASL users. The program consists of a 16-week intervention with 2-hour weekly sessions focused on healthy lifestyle information and a motivational interviewing approach. A colored timeline graphic illustrates the program phases: a 16-week intervention period followed by a 6-month maintenance phase. The maintenance phase includes support through emails, VideoPhone calls, and two in-person group meetings with DWW counselors and group members. On the right side of the slide is a list of all 16 weekly session topics, covering areas such as nutrition, stress management, support, and motivation. At the bottom are logos for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR), the University of Rochester Medical Center, and the Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

Lori continues: “Counselors use a Motivational Interviewing approach which means they would work with their group to help them identify their goals and at the same time, teach new information to support them through their journey. After the 16-week period, the group transitions into the maintenance phase. This is also in person; however Counselor will check in once a month remotely send bi-weekly emails with four questions and run two in-person groups during the 3rd and 6th month for the maintenance sessions.”

The video ends with a final slide image that displays a green background featuring various contact details and social media platforms for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). At the top left, there is an icon of a laptop screen with the text "www." followed by the website URL urmc.edu/ncdhr. On the top right, there is a blue Facebook logo next to the link facebook.com/rochesterprc. In the middle-left section, there is a circular blue icon of an envelope, indicating email contact, with the address NCDHR@urmc.rochester.edu. To the right of this is the Instagram handle , next to the multicolored Instagram logo. At the bottom left, a gray icon of a smartphone represents video phone (VP) contact with the number (585) 228-2299. Finally, at the bottom right, a link to their YouTube channel is provided: youtube.com/user/NCDHRResearch, accompanied by the red and white YouTube logo.

03/02/2026

National Nutrition Month!

At NCDHR, we’re all about encouraging healthy eating and active living as key parts of a balanced lifestyle through Deaf Weight Wise. Looking for some inspiration in the kitchen? Check out our Pinterest page, where we share a variety of nutritious recipes. It’s a great opportunity to discover and try something new this month!

https://www.pinterest.com/rprcncdhr/

02/19/2026

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Last month, we shared our Winter 2025/2026 updates video announcing that DEAF, Inc., Massachusetts, has become our first partner in the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Implementation Research project. DEAF, Inc. also shared this exciting news with their community, and we’re resharing it to help spread the word!

Interested in learning more? Contact the NCDHR team at NCDHR@URMC.Rochester.edu

In this video, the National Center for Deaf Health Research announces its partnership with DEAF, Inc. to implement the Deaf Weight Wise program in MA. Watch the full video at https://youtu.be/a1SU9Hy5SAQ?si=uX8dxMGlNDryiCyL

Image description:

The image is a still frame from a vlog. In it, a Black man is seated at a round table. He is wearing dark-rimmed glasses, a pink polo shirt, and a watch. His hands are positioned as if signing the word “advocacy.” Behind him is a dark blue background. On the right side of the screen is the logo for the University of Rochester Medical Center. Below that is the logo for the National Center for Deaf Health Research, Rochester Prevention Research Center. At the bottom of the screen, in yellow on black, is text that says, “will be DEAF, Inc. from Massachusetts.”