2021 Social Advocacy Project of the Year Award for the City of Quincy

We are pleased to share that the Needs Assessment and Action Plan for LEP and Disability Communications Access for the City of Quincy received the American Planning Association Massachusetts Chapter’s 2021 Social Advocacy Project of the Year Award.

This award honors a program, project, group, or individual that advanced social justice, inclusion, and fairness for marginalized populations.

From the awards presentation:

The Social Advocacy Award goes to Quincy Needs Assessment and Action Plan. The City of Quincy Needs Assessment and Action Plan: LEP and Disability Communications Access project advanced social justice, inclusion, and fairness for persons with limited English proficiency, and persons with disabilities, in one of the fastest growing and most diverse cities in the greater Boston area.

The City has attempted on more than one occasion to develop a language and communications access plan, but without political support, national dialogue on the topic, and resources, efforts fell flat.

In January 2020, Council President Nina Liang, the City’s first Asian-American to hold that position, the political will and support for a comprehensive approach to communications access for all residents became prioritized. Through the creation of the plan, City staff are now equipped with an all-encompassing strategy to reach those most in need, who have gone previously under-served.

Through extensive outreach and engagement, and data analysis at the neighborhood level, including a verification process to ensure engagement of the most at-risk populations, the City of Quincy and Barrett Planning Group distinguished where resources were lacking, inconsistencies in information, and where resources need to be promoted.

The plan is designed to instill confidence in those with disabilities and non-English speakers, as those who are confident and comfortable have higher participation rates in their local government. The plan is also designed to forward inclusion and fairness, by guiding departments, non-profits, schools, and other stakeholders to create clearer avenues for access, ensuring a clear feedback loop, and strengthening overall compliance.

The City hopes this plan will assist in forming and solidifying relationships with constituents, neighborhoods, schools, libraries, and community groups already championing this work on the ground, collaborating on an ongoing basis to advance service delivery, and undermine barriers to equitable inclusionary communication.

In response to the planning document, The City Council allocated a $150,000 new budget line item to the Planning Department to implement the plan.

For all these reasons, we are delighted to award the 2021 Social Advocacy Award to the City of Quincy for its Needs Assessment and Action Plan: LEP and Disability Communications Access.

Watch the full awards ceremony, held virtually on December 3, here.

Learn more about the project here: Quincy LEP and Disabilities Communications Needs Assessment and Access Plan