Holyoke commission narrows accessibility survey: emphasize destinations, simpler answer choices and broader outreach

The Holyoke Commission on Disability spent a major portion of its Feb. 26 meeting refining the city’s draft accessibility survey and its outreach plan, agreeing to prioritize clear wording, destination-based transit questions and multiple modes of response.

Sarah, who is leading the survey work group, told the commission the draft uses first-person language and standardized answer choices to improve readability. "We crafted it so that the language in the survey is directed to the person," Sarah said, adding the team will use SurveyMonkey for online distribution and partner with organizations such as Neighbor to Neighbor and the senior center for in-person help for residents uncomfortable with online forms.

Members recommended changes: replace specific-route questions with destination-based items (for example, asking whether respondents can get to the hospital, college or grocery store), ask whether people use fixed-route buses or paratransit, and move basic demographic questions (length of residency) earlier in the questionnaire to give context to responses. Marlene urged the commission to collect "destinations that you can't get to because it's not accessible" rather than route numbers to avoid confusing respondents.

The commission also discussed survey length and readability; members suggested reducing redundancy (for example combining ownership and rental questions) and adding optional comment boxes where needed. The group set an internal timeline to finalize a revised draft before the March meeting, with a broader outreach push expected in late spring when weather improves to aid in-person responses.

Next steps: staff and the Sarah-led workgroup will incorporate wording changes (destinations vs routes, consistent answer scales, targeted demographic placement) and circulate a revised draft ahead of the March meeting for final approval.