Program evaluation of a multiparty communication intervention supporting people with congenital deafblindness.

Abstract

Multiparty communication is not commonly used by people with congenital deafblindness. This study evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of Get Together, an intervention that supports communication partners in fostering multiparty communication with people with congenital deafblindness. Get Together was used to train four communication partners of individuals with congenital deafblindness. The methods used to assess the program evaluation were questionnaires, a semi-structured interview, and video analysis. The results indicate that communication partners succeeded in having multiparty communication with people with congenital deafblindness. They expressed positive feelings about the relevance, feasibility, and effectiveness of the intervention. Get Together has increased confidence in their ability to have multiparty communication with people with congenital deafblindness. Recommendations for implementation included organizing multiparty sessions of different lengths, training more communication partners, and involving other individuals with congenital deafblindness. A subsequent study is planned to examine the intervention's effects on social and communicative exchanges.