August 8, 2024 |Board of Health, City of Lynn, City Services, Department of Public Health, From the Mayor, Health & Wellness, News, Resources

Inclusive health a priority in Lynn

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The City of Lynn is taking steps to make the community more accessible for all, and it is looking directly to its residents for help.

Individuals with disabilities and mobility limitations are invited to join the city’s Inclusive Health Coalition, steering the direction of inclusionary projects and ensuring that inclusion is a cornerstone in community health planning.

“They’ll be directing us to best identify needs and utilize resources,” said Lisa Tobin, Lynn’s Public Health director. “It’s such important work. We are excited to consciously be looking for ways to promote not only access, but inclusivity.”

The creation of the coalition is a result of a three-year grant, awarded by the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) to the Lynn Public Health Division. It provides funding, totaling $24,000, for both the Community Health Inclusion Index (CHII) and NCHPAD’s Inclusive Community Implementation Process (NiCIP).

“Establishing the Inclusive Health Coalition underscores the City’s commitment to building a healthier, more equitable community for all,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “Having our residents involved ensures that our efforts are collective and guided by diverse voices and needs, making a real difference in the lives of our community.”

CHII is a set of survey tools used to help communities gather information on the extent to which there are resources that are inclusive of all members of the community. NiCIP is a four-stage, 12-step process to guide communities, organizations, businesses and practitioners in creating new and adapting existing health promotion programs and opportunities to be inclusive of people with disabilities.

Requirements for the grant include participation in periodic check-ins with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and NCHPAD to discuss project progress; training from NCHPAD on formal use of the NiCIP; and training from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on racial justice and disability rights.

A survey was created earlier this year, using the CHII, to evaluate the physical activity, healthy eating and wellness resources in Lynn. The goal is to find out how inclusive the community is for persons with disabilities, and to build upon existing assets to increase inclusiveness overall. The survey includes the assessment of schools, workplaces, food sources, community organizations and healthcare sites. It is still available online and in-person, and the results will be analyzed during the second year of the grant. 

Inclusive Health Coalition members will meet regularly throughout the course of the grant, and will receive a small stipend. They will be responsible for recruiting additional members, facilitating surveys, discussing data and informing project decisions. The group will be comprised of a diverse group of community leaders, caregivers and individuals with lived experiences. Applicants can send in a letter of interest and/or a resume. Tobin said they specifically want to enlist young adults for the IHC to ensure they are well represented.

In addition to the planning work, the city has already been able to purchase iPads and assistive apps for individuals with disabilities to use in offices throughout City Hall. There are also viewfinders to magnify paperwork, as well as a universal changing table. “It’s not enough for people to be able to just get into a building, they need to be able to easily access all services once they’re inside,” said Tobin.

The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.