RIA created a survey instrument to measure older adults’ prevailing legal needs, particularly those who face systemic barriers due to income, race, language, disability, or rural isolation. Informed by participatory action research and a racial justice framework, this project centers the lived experiences of older adults and aims to strengthen the responsiveness and accessibility of legal services.

RIA’s Equity in Action (EIA) model emphasizes the integration of community knowledge in every phase of a project, fostering power-sharing and lasting partnerships. The model's approach of shared meaning-making ensures continuous collaboration, allowing for the reassessment of values and knowledge throughout the project lifecycle. This participatory model is designed to disrupt traditional institutional practices that often overlook community input.

RIA incorporated feedback on the survey draft from those working in legal services, long-term care, and academics specializing in elder law.  To validate the current draft, RIA team members facilitated cognitive testing sessions with three older adults that vary in race and sexual orientation to gauge the survey’s clarity, feassibility, and sensitivity to community members' needs. To support the survey’s implementation, we also developed a two-year research plan outlining essential activities to further validate the survey and ensure grounded distribution efforts. Key elements of the research plan include: 

• Recommended strategies for piloting the survey across 3-5 regions prior to statewide distribution

• Developing an older adult community action council to guide the survey’s piloting