CAN (LET’S) participated in a panel hosted by Mobilizing Justice during their 2 day symposium. The panel was entitled “Community Action Addressing Transport Poverty”.
Previously, the Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) had identified Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods as an organization doing work related to transportation equity. This led to Mobilizing Justice reaching out for a conversation. Mobilizing Justice is a 5 year Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) project investigating transportation inequities in Canadian cities and developing tools and resources for more equitable transportation outcomes.
The symposium connected researchers with community-led transportation organizations and advocates from across the country who are working on initiatives to address transportation inequity and increase modal choice, especially for communities or populations that lack access to affordable, safe, and convenient mobility options. The goal was to better understand community priorities, gaps, strategies, and initiatives related to transportation equity, as well as to create effective two-way communication between Mobilizing Justice researchers and organizations working on the ground.
The panel that CAN (LET’S) participated on spoke about tactics and approaches for ensuring community organizations benefit from academic research, outreach, and convenings. We also shared how we are seeing people adapt to transport poverty and transportation barriers. We shared how we approach engaging and working with your members, clients, and participants and shared strategies we employ for ensuring their needs are driving conversations around how you deliver services or focus your advocacy.