This last post for ATJ Tech Fellow blogs is challenging us to create a legal solution that incorporates race-based advocacy strategies and the design thinking process. Our resources are:

During my time advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations for greater access to healthcare and healthcare services I realize that one of the best ways to develop community support and advocacy success is by having cultural competency. Therefore, prior to thinking of a legal solution I already know that this solution must reflect the cultural competency of the community you are working on behalf of or with in order for it to be effective. That’s why I think before entering the “Design Thinking” space, the community should be defined and cultural competency should be at the forefront of designing any legal solution. Arguably, this could happen later in the process or even after the solution has been created, however when placing cultural competency first this process could support collaboration with the community, foster respect, and overall success.

Creating legal solutions that are culturally sensitive to the users needs and beliefs could be done as easily as ensuring there is multi-language access, proper use of pronouns or words, or even ensuring the places where the legal solution would be offered are located in an accessible place where the community will frequent. Ultimately, cultural competency development before solution creation equals culturally sensitive design thinking, that could have the possibility of being used for race based advocacy.

If you’d like to learn more on the importance and usefulness of cultural competency in your raced based advocacy project or legal design solution or get my perspective — please reach out to me!

Image credit: https://patimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pictures.jpg