Inclusive Nutrition
Inspired by our participation in the Inclusive Nutrition Initiative (see below), Washington SNAP-Ed is committed to expanding understanding and taking proactive steps to create inclusive learning environments and nutrition supports for all participants, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Increasing our competency as SNAP-Ed Providers to provide inclusive nutrition programming is an opportunity to affirm the inherent value and dignity of everyone in our community, and to recognize the strength in our differences. Together, we can advance health equity through the inclusion of people with IDD in our SNAP-Ed programming.
In Washington state, 8.7% of the population without disabilities self-report that they are in fair or poor health, while 37% of the population with intellectual disabilities (ID) self-report that they are in fair or poor health. Often, the design and features of our communities create many barriers that prevent people with IDD from accessing nourishing foods and safe physical activity. Recent information shows that SNAP-Ed programs may not be affirmatively reaching out to this population—in part, because they don’t feel empowered or equipped to do so. By considering people with IDD in our program planning and delivery, SNAP-Ed can support self-efficacy, belonging, and overall improvements in health and wellness. An inclusive approach to SNAP-Ed has positive effects on all program participants, including people with IDD.
On this page you will find information, resources, and training to enhance the accessibility of SNAP-Ed programming for participants with IDD.
Inclusive Nutrition Trainings
Empowering Culinary Exploration
This online course shares tips for teaching cooking skills to youth with disabilities and provides an overview of strategies to use in nutrition education and cooking activities that promote health and independence through the use of the active engagement model.
Health & Disability 101
This free online training provides foundational knowledge about people with disabilities, the health disparities that they experience, and how local health department staff (and others) can include people with disabilities in their public health programs and services.
Health & Intellectual Disability 101
Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) hosted a Health and Intellectual Disability 101 training for WA SNAP-Ed in 2023 to share about the benefits of including people with intellectual disabilities in your work and best practices for accessibility and inclusion. This training is featured on the Training Essentials page!
Basics of Inclusive Nutrition
Inclusive Nutrition Strategies for SNAP Settings
This addendum to SNAP-Ed Guidance includes recommendations to highlight and add information, best practices, and resources on how to make SNAP-Ed programs inclusive of people with disabilities so that they can enjoy the same health benefits from these programs as those without disabilities. The guide is organized by SNAP-Ed settings and strategies, includes suggestions for working with people with different types of disabilities, and provides considerations for program evaluation.
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) are children who: 1) have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or mental health conditions; and 2) require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally. 25% of children in Washington have special health care needs. That’s 1 in 4! The CYSHCN program promotes connected systems of care for children and youth with special care needs from birth through transition to adulthood. Visit their webpage to learn more about CYSHCN partners and activities, check out their Information & Resources page, and CYSHN Care Coordination Toolkit for resources in Washington state.
Special Olympics Center for Inclusive Health
Special Olympics Center for Inclusive Health works towards the inclusion of all people, including people with intellectual disabilities (ID), in mainstream health policies and laws, programming, and services, training programs, research, and funding streams. This website includes information and training to help organizations across the public health system take action to remove barriers and improve access for people with ID to their services, as their patients, customers, beneficiaries, and clients.
JUST UD It!
Universal Design ensures and maximizes meaningful access, understanding, and use of environments by all people, regardless of disability, age, and size. Environments include buildings, products, resources, programs, and services. Using Universal Design, we can make accessing our program easier for everyone!
CYSHCN Inclusive Language Reference Document
Although there is not a monolithic language style preference shared across all people who have disabilities (or even the same disability), it remains important to use respectful and inclusive language when communicating with or talking about people with disabilities.
How to Develop Products for Adults with IDD and Extreme Low Literacy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created this tool to help people develop communication products for adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and extreme low literacy (IDD/ELL) and their caregivers. The tool outlines evidence-based best practices for developing communication products, and also includes a score sheet you can use to check how well your product follows the guidelines.
Resources for Accessibility
Adaptive Cooking Equipment Kits
Washington SNAP-Ed is offering cooking kits containing adaptive measuring cups & spoons, knives, and other cooking utensils for SNAP-Ed providers to enable more accessible cooking activities during the delivery of nutrition education. If you would like to order a kit for use in your program, or share about your experience using the kit in your programming, please contact CTW at snap-ed.ctw@wsu.edu. We want to hear from you!
Additional Resources
The Association for Successful Parenting
With a focus on research, education and service, The Association for Successful Parenting (TASP) works to build the capacity of communities and families to support parents with learning difficulties. TASP brings together knowledgeable and committed professionals and self-advocates to provide education (through conferences, webinars, and direct training), advocacy at the local and national level, direct support for parents and professionals, and resource sharing. These resources are available for purchase at the links below.
