Many aquatic professionals feel committed to fostering inclusive aquatic experiences and programs for their communities. A facility’s design plays a crucial role in achieving that objective. If your facility is being renovated, or your organizaition is building a new aquatic center, you can play a vital role in advocating for equitable processes and inclusive design, even without design experience.

Most aquatics professionals will not become involved in the design process — including feasibility studies and strategic plans — more than a time or two in their careers. But when that opportunity does arise, it’s crucial to step into your role as subject-matter expert and help steer the assembled team of architects, consultants and builders in the direction of equity and inclusivity.

Designing a pool that meets the needs of a diverse community begins well before the first shovel hits the ground. From the first phases, you can help shape a facility that reflects the needs and desires of the community, paving the way for accessible and enjoyable aquatic experiences for everyone.

Steward of inclusion

Throughout the process, you may find that each participant has different priorities.

City council members and architects, for instance, may emphasize new technology and design innovation to draw attendees. However, it’s also essential to prioritize the community and its needs. That’s where you come in. Make it a priority to bring the conversation back to inclusiveness when necessary.

Make this focus clear from the outset. When developing your request for proposal, highlight your vision for creating a facility that caters to all potential users — even those who may not currently attend. Specify any criteria in reaching that goal, such as an equitable community-input process.

During the interview process, ask applicants equity-focused questions. Request examples and descriptions of previous design work that focused on inclusion. Look for qualifications such as training in ADA compliance, or a background in recreational therapy.

Learn your demographic

It’s crucial to find out what groups make up your community and how much of the population they comprise. This not only helps reveal what populations to consider in the design, but it also provides guidance in preventing the over- or underrepresentation of certain groups.

To identify demographics and neighborhoods, consult census information and other data available to your city on a local and state level. Compile existing facility and program use and non-use data to indicate which cross-sections of residents and facility users to approach for feedback. This will help you set engagement goals for each group. If the census information shows that 50% of your population belongs to one group, you want to make sure they contribute proportionally to surveys, feedback sessions and other data-collecting opportunities. The same holds true for demographics that already make up a significant portion of attendance at your facility. It’s also important to learn what segments of the population don’t attend so you can find out how you can better serve them.

Cast a wide net

Gathering public input is a crucial role in any public design. To best learn the needs of the communities you serve — or would like to further attract — reach out broadly. Seek comments from a wide variety of demographics, using several different vehicles, all in ways that provide easy access.

Go beyond basic public hearings and strive to organize a variety of engagement opportunities. Public hearings are basically a listening exercise, where officials and other attendees hear those providing the comments. Also look for events that foster more back-and-forth engagement. You could consider hosting community meetings with more of a roundtable format, or assemble advisory boards comprised of representatives from the demographics you hope to serve. Hold focus groups by taking applications and carefully choosing participants.

Reach out to the community in other ways. Sponsor a booth at a community celebration and talk to different people for input. Go to your target groups if you need to. For instance, when I worked for Iowa City, we went to a group home to get feedback on accessibility.

Ahead of any new pool project, be intentional about building relationships with community non-profits and groups. Have touch points with your social services offices, keep in touch with childcare resources, be involved with your immigration organizations and partake in community-focused events. When soliciting feedback, reach out to local neighborhoods, non-profit organizations, and education hubs to gather diverse perspectives. Collaborate with groups that represent various segments of the population, such as disabled individuals, day-care providers, youth, LGBTQ+ communities, and those who might not traditionally use pool facilities to ensure all voices are heard. If needed, modify your approach based on feedback you receive during this process.

When holding feedback-gatering sessions with larger groups, find ways to include all voices by using written and dictated comments, voting devices or survey tools, and small group discussions. If using digital media, stick with platforms and channels that your agency, company, clientele or residents already rely on – whether it be specific social media platforms, email, press releases or others. This makes data collection as easy and barrier free as possible to integrate into your operations. Keep surveys as brief as possible, using language that a resident or client off the street can easily understand, and in multiple languages if needed. If asking for personal information, such as email addresses, make those questions optional to avoid deterring those who want privacy.

Work with your consultant team to co-host community input events that are welcoming to everyone. Provide food and incentives to attract participants. Ensure that meetings are accessible by choosing venues that offer physical accessibility and offering virtual options at various times of day. Include activities to engage children and teens, through supervised play areas, interactive workshops, and on-site visits with caregivers. Be mindful of transportation barriers and select sites that are walkable and bikeable, have ample accessible parking, and are close to public transportation lines. When possible, provide interpreters and offer printed or digital materials in multiple languages.

Different demographics will find ease and opportunity in providing digital feedback. Be sure to offer numerous opportunities (including anonymous ones to provide safety) for folks to engage digitally. Offer translation services, multilingual materials, and surveys in multiple languages to ensure all can contribute effectively.

Kate Connell is founder of Equitable Aquatics, and a speaker on diversity and leadership who has presented educational sessions at dozens of national and state level association conferences. The Certified Park and Recreation Professional has a track record of implementing inclusive programs, policies, and personnel practices in her prior role as a municipal program supervisor in Iowa City. She also serves as senior manager of sales and strategic partnership at HydroApps.