Tool 2: Barriers to involvement experienced by some communities
A substantial number of people you want to engage may experience barriers to getting involved. Some of these barriers are:-
Age related - children, young people and some older people will require innovative ways of engagement
- Attitudes - within your organisation, and of researchers e.g. towards BME or transgendered people; choose people who have empathy as well as objectivity to do the engaging
Lack of understanding - of a different culture or religious custom
- Physical barriers - for disabled people; such as easy access to buildings, requirement of hearing loops in meetings
- Inability to get out into the public domain - because of long-term illness, old age or imprisonment
- Information - not made available, or simply not stating that it can be made available as required, e.g. in a different language, or format such as large print, makaton or cd
Jargon - all communications to the public should be in Plain English!
- Lack of transport - to reach venues which are not on a public transport route; avoid booking them!
Rural remoteness - go out to them
IT - remember some people have no skills or access to a computer
- Inconvenience - such as limitation on the time they are available, as experienced by commuters, parents or voluntary groups
- Low income - they may feel that they won't be listened to or can't afford to get there and so choose not to take part; consider offering prizes or expenses
- Homelessness or temporary residence - such as Gypsies/travellers, students, migrant workers; go to where they are and at an appropriate time
- Holidays - avoid summer or religious festivals when many people are away or are focussing on other issues
Try doing a level one Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) to help you think about who might be affected by the issue for engagement, as well as if the method you intend using is appropriate. Identify what barriers might be experienced by the Protected Characteristics identified by the Equality Act 2010.
Check that what you are planning to do appropriately addresses the removal of barriers to involvement. Other barriers to public engagement are harder to overcome - such as cynicism and apathy of the public as well as contentedness with the current situation.
The original authors of this site were Essex County Council, Rochford District Council and Uttlesford District Council, and is now supported by the Essex Community Engagement Network. You are free to share, copy or adapt this work but you must attribute it to Essex Engagement Toolkit.
Images: Mass Ascension by a4gpa (Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Creative Commons Licence), Pink Penstemons by aussiegall (Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons Licence), Tools In The Garage (1) by Viewoftheworld (Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons Licence.)