Background:
Health literacy is about the way we access, understand, appraise, and apply health information to achieve health goals. Problems with health literacy can result in poorer health outcomes and increased risk of hospitalisation. People with communication disability may be at greater risk of health literacy problems because of communication and interaction difficulties, however there is a lack of research for this population. Individual and environmental health literacy barriers can include skills, knowledge, motivation, lack of supports, or poorly presented verbal and written information. Despite evidence gaps, speech pathologists can take action to reduce individual and environmental health literacy barriers for clients.

Learning outcomes:
- Understand evidence-based models of health literacy that guide practice and research
- Define health literacy and its significance in speech pathology practice
- Describe health literacy barriers and facilitators for clients with communication disability
- Use evidence-based strategies to support health literacy in a range of clinical settings and situations

Assumed knowledge or experience:
None.

Activities:
- Whole-group discussion in-person and via online tools
- Small group discussions on health literacy implications in participant contexts
- Small group activities implementing evidence-based health literacy supports such as creating accessible written information
- Action planning for implementing what is learned

Implications for practice:
Respecting health literacy needs may generate positive health outcomes for people with communication disability. Speech pathologists can respond to barriers for people with communication disability to support access to, understanding, appraising, and applying health information through evidence-based strategies and systemic advocacy.

Keywords - health literacy, EBP, communication disability

Submission statement:
By reflecting on health literacy impacts for client engagement and outcomes, speech pathologists can respond to the barriers generated by their practices and service systems. Respectful collaboration with individuals, communities, and organisations on the health literacy needs of people with communication disability is needed.