Census 2020 Counts Philadelphians with Disabilities
Project Description:
The disability community is critically affected by Census data, which drives Medicare and Medicaid funding, which people with disabilities crucially rely upon for day-to-day living. However, individuals with disabilities are undercounted due to profound digital literacy barriers. Disability compounds with low income, marginalized race/ethnicity, age, and limited English proficiency to co-constitute a maelstrom of disenfranchisement through a huge digital divide. Census2020 Counts Philadelphians with Disabilities directly engages this population and enumerators to ensure: (1) Greater Census2020 participation by Philadelphians with disabilities, (2) Philadelphians with disabilities increase their digital literacy, and (3) Census enumerators learn transferable skills about inclusion and accommodations that civic infrastructure can carry forward.
This project brings into partnership two well-established disability advocacy organizations in Philadelphia: the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University (IOD) and Liberty Resources, Inc. (LRI). Both organizations have established effective collaborations with diverse individuals with disabilities, advocacy organizations, educators, state agencies, and many other stakeholders to manage cross-disability programs. Leveraging our experience in these arenas will allow us to connect new and previously disenfranchised participants to the Census.
Our project focuses on two major interventions: (1) Seasoned professional advocates will offer one-on-one digital literacy support to the disability community to complete the Census2020 questionnaire. Outreach will be performed using preexisting channels. (2) In-person and online trainings will be administered for Census enumerators. These modules will prepare enumerators to effectively engage with diverse members of the disability community to complete their Census through training in cultural competency and various assistive technologies, broadening their digital literacy. Through these interventions, we will bridge the digital divide in the disability community. Consistent qualitative and quantitative evaluation will capture replicable strategies of information dissemination, training, and support required to provide a path going forward to encourage digital literacy.
Keyword(s):
Census, Digital Literacy, Undercounted
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance
Target Audience:
Adults with Disabilities, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
