Introduction: Are reopening solutions centering those who are traditionally farthest from access?
As part of the King County Play Equity Coalition’s COVID-19 response, we created Equity Considerations for Return to Play Resource for sports and recreation leaders to read and consider as they reopen and return to play. These considerations are not exhaustive but are the first step in viewing reopening through an “equity lens” and taking this opportunity to remedy inequities.
Without an equity lens, the pandemic is likely to exacerbate existing inequities in access to sport and play. Prior to COVID-19, only 19% of King County youth were getting the CDC’s recommended amount of physical activity: 60 minutes, seven days per week. This rate drops to 11% among youth who do not speak English at home, and participation in physical activity, organized sport, and outdoor recreation is predictable by race, affluence, gender and geographic residence. As public agencies, community based organizations, and other youth leaders and representatives plan for reopening and restarting youth physical activity programs, we have a unique opportunity to address these disparities by intentionally reshaping practices and policies.
This is part two of a series of blog posts providing suggestions for ways leaders can intentionally address equity as they grapple with budget, space, and health constraints (read Part 1 here). Part 2 focuses on the following question:
The Challenge
Families who are traditionally underrepresented in youth physical activity, organized sport, or outdoor recreation face information barriers to access, which take multiple forms.
First, non-English speaking families’ access to youth physical activity programs is limited when information about programs is not provided in their native language. For example, families may visit a local recreation center and see flyers about swimming lessons, but not be able to understand the information provided because it is only in English. If families are able to find enough information and enroll their child in a program, language barriers still exist between families and program providers, and unclear communication can lead to safety concerns among families. This is where Coalition members and local groups like the Congolese Integration Network and African Community Housing and Development serve as critical buffers for families who do not speak English at home. Leaders not only develop their own programming for the youth they serve, but help these families locate and sign up for programming outside of the organization.
Second, low-income families may lack internet access at home, and the internet has become a critical tool for locating physical activity programs that fit families’ needs around cost, location, timing, activity, and more.
Information about program and facility reopening is critical, and there will be families and program providers that are last to know of these updates. These families and providers are likely to have limited time and resources and face language or other information barriers. Below, we’ve outlined some ways to make sure that municipalities and providers equitably and effectively communicate the re-opening of facilities and fields to all members of their community. Ideally – and among many other deliberate actions – prioritizing those traditionally under-served by facilities and fields will help reduce ever-widening disparities.
Ideas to Consider
For municipalities:
Use multiple channels of communication to reach program providers and families. Do not rely on the internet alone to communicate information. Consider calling or sending a text message to all program providers who have previously used your fields, mailing information directly to the program office, or putting flyers and information in conspicuous areas around the fields or facilities.
Invest in targeted translation and interpretation. Residents in the neighborhoods around fields or facilities that are reopening may not speak one of the top two, five, or twelve different languages into which materials are translated. Instead, they may speak one language other than English that is NOT included in these materials. Targeted translation of materials based on the language(s) spoken in a community is critical. Even if materials are translated into twelve languages, they still will not be accessible to everyone.
Empower community members and programs to spread information. Empower and enable youth serving programs, faith-based groups, and cultural organizations individuals to pass along information about facilities and services as they reopen.
For program providers:
Similar to municipalities, use multiple channels of communication to reach families. Text, call, or communicate through other community leaders that fields and facilities have or will reopen.
Ensure that safety and health information is also clearly communicated. For example, if masks are required to use a field or participate, ensure families know where they can access masks. If your program is requiring new waivers or is providing more frequent, longer communications as a result of COVID-19, ensure that families can read and understand this information, and feel their health concerns are being addressed.
Also similar to municipalities, make interpretation available to families who need it. Lack of information due to language barriers is one reason why parents may not feel comfortable sending their children to programs, especially now that COVID-19 has introduced new levels of concern. Make sure that you know the languages spoken among your program participants’ families, and make connections between families that can help interpret information for one another.