One in three Kentuckians are living with a disability. People with disabilities are more likely to have overall poorer health influenced by limited food access, fewer preventative services, and less nutrition education compared to those who do not have a disability. It is also estimated that obesity rates are 57% higher for adults living with disabilities compared to those without. Cooperative Extension (CE) must find ways to ensure all Kentuckians, regardless of ability, are able to participate in food and nutrition programming. Extension field staff request resources to provide tailored programming in their counties, knowing the impact nutrition has on health outcomes.

This project establishes a guidebook and training for Extension professionals to implement targeted and comprehensive nutrition education. The proposed activities directly support community vitality, health, and wellness. This project enhances university engagement, bridging CE and the UK Human Development Institute (HDI). This partnership brings the knowledge and expertise of HDI on topics related to disability and program adaptations to the forefront with the opportunity to create resources that would support Extension professionals from both Kentucky State University (KSU) and UK when implementing nutrition education. Across Kentucky, project activities increase Extension’s engagement within communities.

To distribute the newly developed guidebook, two state-wide training opportunities were provided to Extension field staff. These included the Kentucky State Extension Conference and the UK Nutrition Education Program Annual Meeting. In total, 125 Extension field staff, from both UK and KSU, participated in the training events, receiving the comprehensive guidebook as well as an overview of disabilities and strategies for more tailored nutrition education to support people with various abilities.

To inform the creation of the guidebook, a formative survey was distributed in spring 2024 to assess needs and concerns of Extension field staff related to nutrition programming with audiences with differing abilities. The formative survey was completed by 107 people (n=52 NEP Assistants, n=55 FCS Agents).

Important formative findings include:

1. Almost half (47%) of Extension field staff surveyed disagreed or were unsure of knowing where to find resources that supported comprehensive and targeted programming for people with disabilities.
2. In that same sample, 8 out of 10 (82%) Extension field staff had people with disabilities participate in past food and nutrition programming.
3. Respondents listed common challenges faced when planning and implementing programs (e.g., classroom management, lack of resources and support).

These findings directly informed the development, organization, and content of the 58-page guidebook. At the conclusion of the two state-wide trainings featuring the guidebook, attendees (n=125) were asked to complete a post evaluation with indicators measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Of those who completed the post-evaluation (n=76), 86% (n=65) of participants somewhat or strongly agreed that the newly developed resources would open doors to new community partnerships.

Additional short-term outcomes include:

1. Increased number of resources available for Extension professionals to use when creating programming: 3 (1 guidebook, 2 trainings)
2. Number of field staff who received resources: 125 Extension field staff
3. Increased awareness of differing abilities: 88% (n=67) agreed that the training increased their awareness of the supports needed for people with differing abilities.
4. Increased understanding of how to adapt programming: 86% (n=65) agreed that the training increased their knowledge of how to adapt programming  
5. Increased confidence implementing tailored programming: 83% (n=63) agreed the training increased their confidence in their ability to deliver tailored nutrition education.

Medium and long-term outcomes will be measured in 2026 after recipients of the materials have time to incorporate adaptations into their food and nutrition programming. The process and lessons learned from this project can serve as foundational work for increasing access to targeted and comprehensive education within all other programmatic areas of Extension (e.g., Agriculture/Natural Resources, Horticulture, 4-H Youth Leadership).