Collaborative Efforts

Creating an age-friendly city requires multisector collaboration, and much of our work is done in partnership. A few examples of this work are below. If you have an idea for how you’d like to partner with Age Friendly Seattle, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at agefriendly@seattle.gov. 

Supporting the Northwest Universal Design Council (NWUDC)

This community-led council is dedicated to advancing the principles of Universal Design in our region. Accessible built environments—whether homes, entertainment venues, public spaces, or elsewhere—are critical for allowing people to age in their communities and participate in all of life’s activities. Age Friendly Seattle is proud to provide staff support to this group comprised of advocates, industry professionals, and individuals passionate about accessibility. NWUDC holds several events throughout the year; examples include happy hours that are open to the public and often showcase a venue or product design, installations at the Seattle Design Festival, and presentations and forums on wayfinding, accessibility in events, and home design. Pop in on a monthly online meeting or join in person at an upcoming event—visit www.environtmentsforall.org for more info.

Supporting the Mayor's Council on African American Elders (MCAAE) 

The Mayor's Council on African American Elders (MCAAE) informs the Seattle mayor and other government leaders and policymakers about the unique needs of older African Americans; advocates for changes in policies, practices, and programs; educates the public; and encourages and sponsors research to address unmet needs and gaps in services. It also serves as an intermediary between City government and the community. Age Friendly Seattle staff serve as liaison to this council. If you would like to learn more or join the MCAAE, we encourage you to reach out.

Interdepartmental Teams and Projects 

Older adults are impacted by a range of issues and our team serves on several cross-departmental working groups reflecting this. Topics range from digital equity, transportation safety, redevelopment projects, and Seattle’s comprehensive city plan. Our role is to educate our colleagues about the needs of older adults and support efforts to address these, whether through policies, programs, or resource distribution.

We also work with other local governments to coordinate efforts and maximize impact. Examples include partnering with King County to support emergency readiness for low-income older adults impacted by extreme weather and assisting Seattle Public Schools to recruit crossing guards. Our staff serve on the core workgroup to operationalize Washington state’s 2024 age-friendly designation.

Finally, we work closely with external partners. We serve on the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Special Needs Transportation Committee, the King County Mobility Coalition, and the Advisory Council for the Find a Ride app. We also respond to ad-hoc requests on a variety of topics from organizations seeking advice. In 2024, we launched a Social Connectivity Learning Network for community-based organizations, government partners, and academics to regularly share best practices and ideas.

In our role as convener, AFS often connects partners from different fields. Whether that’s hosting educational housing forums, organizing Congressional roundtables, introducing accessibility experts to entertainment organizers, or recruiting participants for research opportunities, we encourage cross-sector collaboration and attention to aging issues.