# Using intervention mapping to develop an intervention for multiparty communication with people with congenital deafblindness

## TL;DR

This paper describes the development of a communication program for people with congenital deafblindness using a structured six-step approach to improve their inclusion in group conversations.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the systematic application of intervention mapping to create a practical program for multiparty communication with people with congenital deafblindness.

## Key findings

- The intervention program includes education, practical sessions, and video feedback for communication partners.
- The program was found feasible and met the needs of communication partners.
- Suggestions are made for expanding the program and evaluating its impact on social skills.

## Abstract

Due to their dual sensory impairment, people with congenital deafblindness (CDB) are rarely naturally involved in other people’s conversations. Their communication partners find it challenging to include them in group conversations. However, overhearing others communicate is important for developing social and communication skills. Hence, we developed an intervention program to guide communication partners in offering multiparty communication to people with CDB. This article describes how the program was developed through an intervention mapping approach.

Intervention mapping is a six-step process: logic model, model of change, program design, program production, program implementation plan, and evaluation plan. These six steps were applied to systematically develop a program to foster multiparty communication in people with CDB. Representatives of the involved groups participated in the project group and the working group to ensure feasibility and acceptability.

Following the intervention mapping steps resulted in creation of a program for communication partners that consists of an education session, practicals, and four video-feedback sessions. Information sessions for practitioners and managers were also developed. The program was implemented incrementally with program implementers in each organization. A subjective evaluation and an impact evaluation were done after each implementation phase.

Intervention mapping was used to develop a program that connects theory to practice. The program appeared to meet the communication partners’ needs and be feasible in terms of time investment. This article offers suggestions for broadening the scope of the program to other settings and for further investigating the effects of the program on the social and communication skills of people with CDB.