Designing Inclusive and Accessible Community Engagement

Creating a community engagement process that is truly inclusive and accessible requires more than good int

entions. It demands deliberate strategies that value every voice and break down barriers preventing participation. At Aging Dynamics, we believe that meaningful engagement begins with co-creation and centers on accessibility, inclusion, and respect. Below, we outline the key strategies for creating a community engagement process that resonates deeply and drives lasting impact, based on our recent work with a community developer in Aurora, Colorado.

Aurora is a culturally rich and diverse city located east of Denver, Colorado. With a population that includes residents who come from over 140 different countries and over 150 languages spoken, the city reflects the varied backgrounds, languages, and traditions of its residents. For any community development in this area, understanding the cultural nuances, preferences, and needs of the diverse members of the community is essential to ensure meaningful engagement and successful outcomes.

We focused on the Ethiopian, Korean, Spanish, and Amharic-speaking communities for our initiative as these communities represent some of the top languages spoken in Aurora, as identified through comprehensive research by the City of Aurora.

Understand the Community

Community engagement of any kind requires building both trust and an understanding of the community. We collaborated with local community leaders and organizations trusted by Ethiopian, Korean, Latino, and other cultural groups in the area. Their insights guided the creation of multilingual surveys in Spanish, Amharic, and Korean, the primary languages spoken by three of the populations of non-English speakers in the area. These surveys were made available both online and in high-traffic community spaces like libraries and grocery stores. As we analyzed the responses, key themes emerged, including a desire for accessible outdoor spaces and culturally relevant amenities.

Co-Create the Process

Co-creation means actively inviting the community to shape the engagement process. For example, we worked closely with a local organization to identify how best to reach the Ethiopian community. Together, we co-hosted a focus group where Ethiopian families shared their thoughts in their chosen spoken language of Amharic, supported through an interpreter. Through this collaborative approach, participants provided valuable insights on how outdoor spaces could be designed to meet their children’s needs, encourage connection between adults, and how apartment layouts could better support cultural traditions and lifestyles.

Remove Barriers to Participation

We tackled barriers to participation directly. For focus groups, we provided childcare services and a stipend to ensure that parents could participate without concern and were compensated for their time. We also ensured accessibility by offering interpretation services during focus groups and translating all materials, including recruitment materials, into Spanish, Amharic, and Korean. Meetings were scheduled at varied times—weekday mornings and evenings, as well as weekend mornings and afternoons—to accommodate diverse schedules. Community venues were carefully selected for ease of access and familiarity.

Leverage Existing Community Spaces and Events

Engagement flourished when we met people where they already gathered. By attending a local community event that primarily drew members of the Latino community, we were able to collect real-time feedback on important elements, such as playground designs. This setting was an effective way to reach Spanish-speaking residents, ensuring that their voices were included in the conversation. These informal settings provided opportunities for spontaneous and candid conversations, allowing us to gather unique insights. Libraries and recreation centers also became key spaces for deeper, more focused discussions.

Foster Genuine Relationships

Building trust isn’t about grand gestures but about consistent, authentic actions. Community organizations that helped with outreach and recruitment were recognized with stipends. As the project continues, regular updates on how community input is influencing the development should be shared with participants. This will reinforce credibility and strengthen relationships, paving the way for future collaboration.

Offer Multiple Channels for Participation

We recognize that engagement takes many forms. Some participants preferred to complete surveys from home, while others found that in-person focus groups provided a more effective opportunity to express themselves. Informal conversations at community events offered unique opportunities for discussion that formal settings did not. By providing multiple avenues for participation, we ensured a broader range of people could share their thoughts and ideas.

Conclusion

Inclusive and accessible community engagement is more than just gathering input—it’s about ensuring that every voice is heard and respected in shaping the future of a community. Through this process, we demonstrated how vital it is to create many different ways to learn about the varied needs and perspectives of residents. By fostering collaboration, breaking down barriers, and co-creating solutions, we create stronger, more connected communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. At Aging Dynamics, we are committed to creating environments where people of all backgrounds can shape their own futures, making these communities not just inclusive but truly vibrant and sustainable for generations to come.