As part of a recent community engagement project, it became clear that we couldn't rely on only digital methods to reach non-english speakers, recent migrants, and other vulnerable groups.
So we wrote a paper survey, had it translated into 6 languages and placed in community hubs all around the council. To support this, we built custom OCR software to digitise handwritten answers at scale. Inclusive engagement shouldn’t have to cost more than a digital form.
Our latest article explores why we still reach for paper surveys, in-person workshops, and low-tech tools when engaging communities — and how going analog leads to more inclusive, grounded insights.
Australia’s first 'Excelling' Welcoming City asked a critical question: does diversity actually create belonging for those who need it most?
We transformed 230 diverse voices into a roadmap for genuine belonging — working with Darebin City Council to develop a Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan grounded in what community members actually experience.
When you’re designing something millions of people will touch every day, you need to test with the full spectrum of who “everyone” really means.
We tested the usability and accessibility of next-generation myki fare validators with a diverse cohort of public transport users across Victoria. Over 10 weeks, our inclusive testing methodology helped determine which device designs best served the wide-ranging needs of the state’s travelling population.
We developed the BRIDGE framework to guide effective community engagement. Here are three other perspectives on reaching the people that matter most.
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New Zealand’s Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet published a practical Good Practice Guide for Community Engagement — a playbook for choosing methods that match communities, not just convenience.
Paper Giant acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of the lands on which we live and work across Australia. We recognise that sovereignty over the land has never been ceded, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
