Equality and diversity
We know that everybody is different and that one size does not fit all. We need to to find ways to make sure everyone is able to participate and influence our work. This means we need to do things in different ways and find the most suitable ways we can engage with you.
When we are preparing information we will be mindful that we may need to provide documents in another language or format, e.g. large type, and look at ways to make our content more accessible through dynamic customisations of our digital platforms to allow individuals to digest content in a way that works for them.
When designing services or equipment we will ask people what we need to consider to make things accessible for them to use. For example, we will think about any adjustments that may need to be made for someone with a sensory impairment, physical disability, a long term health condition or neuro divergence. We recognise those with protected characteristics have the right to engage and will endeavour to make that as easy as possible in how we design engagement.
We will be respectful of the differences between us all at all times and understand that only by enabling all voices can we get a rich tapestry of engagement which truly represents the Borders.
Barriers to effective engagement
There a number of reasons that engagement fails and understanding where the barriers are helps us to put measures in place to make it as easy as possible now, and look at investment opportunities which will make our engagement more inclusive and allow more of our citizens to get involved.
Internal barriers
Like many large organisations, we employ a large number of people in different departments which have different areas of focus, different work in different areas of the Borders and differing priorities, and we recognise that this can make it difficult to join up our engagement efforts as an organisation and with our communities. We are actively taking steps to improve this.
Some of the barriers we have identified:
- Staff being unsure of how to engage - rules/regulations
- Providing staff with the right tools to communicate i.e phones/iPads
- Staff not having visibility of all the community activities across the organisation
- Staff resource and capacity to engage
External barriers
- Accessibility for residents - digital vs face to face vs hybrid
- Lack of hybrid meeting space
- A lack of trust between residents and ourselves
- Lack of awareness - residents not knowing about community projects
- Residents being unsure what 'taking part' actually means
- Using tools that are convenient to communities/customers and inclusive of all