Physical Activity Accessibility in Placerville
El Dorado County, November 2022-November 2023
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Project Goal
- Citizen scientists focused on assessing environmental factors to improve healthy living behaviors and identifying potential strategies to promote healthier lifestyles
- Improve walkability
- Make the facility more accessible to physical activity opportunities
Project Description
10 adults with disabilities who self-identified as the Our Voice Committee proposed ideas to expand physical access around a community day-program.
Discovery Tool Guiding Question
- What makes it easy or hard to walk around the outside of [this] facility?
Insights
10 adults with disabilities participated in 7 Discovery Tool walks and collected 49 photos with accompanying rankings (positive or negative), and 50 narratives (41 written comments and 9 audio recordings). Participants then engaged in community meetings to identify themes that emerged from the data, as well as key areas of improvement and strengths of the community. Then, community members generated several solutions from their data analysis.
- Themes Identified
- Walkability
- Accessibility
- Safety
Strengths Identified: Collaboration with a local nonprofit organization
Identified Areas for Improvement: Lack of pedestrian-friendly and safe access to physical activity spaces in the surrounding area
Solutions Generated by Community Members:
- Improve accessibility of walkable spaces such as painting the tops of stairs and curbs
- Paint a crosswalk in the parking lot
- Install pedestrian and speed limit signage
Activities and Outcomes
The Our Voice Committee, comprised of 10 adults with disabilities, presented their findings and proposed action items to the Board members of the facility/site where the assessment was done. After a successful meeting, the Board members advised the group to reach out to the site’s insurance company. As a result, they received funds from the insurance company, which were matched by a donation from the Community Day-Program's Board of Directors. The non-profit also hired a company to advise on the suggested solutions and install four pedestrian signs and two 5 mph signs in their parking lot.
Key Solutions Presented To Board Members:
- Improvements in walkability through the use of speed bumps and pedestrian-friendly signage
- Paint a crosswalk
People and Collaborators
Project Leads:
- CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California Cooperative Extension El Dorado County Facilitators
- Cailin McLaughlin
- CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California State Office
- Barbara MkNelly
- Kelley Brian
Collaborating Organization:
- CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE El Dorado County
- Community Day-Program
- Stanford University
- CalFresh Healthy Living, UC
Publications
Journal of Trauma-Informed Community Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity: 2023 CFHL Forum Poster Book
This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Visit www.CalFreshHealthyLiving.org for healthy tips.