Santa Monica is charting a path to become more inclusive and accessible for its aging and disabled population. With the backing of a planning grant from the California Department of Aging, the city is moving forward with its Aging and Disability Action Plan, an initiative that kicked off last summer after securing state funding, as reported by Alana Riemermann, a Senior Human Services Analyst for the city, in a statement.
Integral to the development of this plan is the Action Plan Advisory Committee. Composed of older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and subject matter experts, this committee ensures the plan’s strategies are crafted with the voices of the community at its heart. Alana Riemermann, in a posting on the city's website, highlighted the community-driven process that has seen a set of guiding values adopted and the execution of a needs assessment this past spring. The committee is striving to address the insightful feedback obtained from various engagement activities, which included a community survey with 484 responses and focus groups designed to capture a diverse range of community perspectives.
The demographics of Santa Monica reveal why this plan is crucial: almost 20% of its residents are over the age of 65, and disabilities are a common occurrence, particularly amongst older women. The needs assessment brought forth a consensus on priorities for the city's growing aging and disabled populations. This includes the improvement of outdoor spaces and buildings for accessibility, more flexible transportation options, affordable housing to support aging in place, and fostering greater social participation to combat isolation. The Committee also recognized the importance of cultivating respect, enhancing civic engagement and employment opportunities, and refining communication strategies.
Riemermann's article also sheds light on health and community services needs, pointing out how vital it is to "ensure everyone can stay informed and connected, clear, simple, multilingual, and accessible communication is needed across both digital and non-digital platforms." Santa Monica residents also highlighted the need for better emergency preparedness that accounts for those without ready digital access. Reflecting all these needs, the Action Plan Advisory Committee is moving to identify tangible goals to tackle over the next three years while maintaining fundamental values such as respect, participation, inclusiveness, joy in process, care, and deep listening. In the fall, the fully developed plan is set for review and adoption by the City Council.
Making the community a more age-friendly and disability-friendly environment is undoubtedly an ongoing journey. With the continued engagement of Santa Monica's residents and the dedicated efforts of entities like the Action Plan Advisory Committee, the city is poised for progress. Interested parties can stay updated and learn more about these initiatives by visiting the official website.
