Using co-designed smartphone apps to cultivate authentic communication and disaster risk resilience in multi-cultural communities

This article and research was first inspired by fire personnel attending emergencies that could have easily been avoided if the people living in the dwellings had been able to better understand fire hazards and safety preparedness. In response to this, we explore how smartphone technology can be used to empower culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities to enhance their disaster risk resilience. It presents the findings of a collaborative research project between Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), a leading state emergency agency in Australia, and researchers from the University of Technology Sydney. The project, funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority in partnership with the NSW and Australian Governments, addresses the pressing need for cultural competence within emergency and disaster response agencies to mitigate risks and bolster resilience among non-English speaking community members in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Australia's increasingly diverse population, with nearly 30% born overseas, underscores the necessity for further investigation into the preparedness and empowerment 1 of multi-cultural communities in responding to emergencies and disasters. The article focuses on the development of a proof-of-concept smartphone app prototype Ready, Set, Go! that is aimed at empowering our culturally diverse community members. Through a user-centred and co-design approach, the app was collaboratively designed with CaLD community groups, utilising user experience research methodologies. Recognising that a good user experience transcends cultural boundaries, the study integrated cultural fluency into the design process, emphasising the active participation of CaLD community members as key stakeholders in the design process. This article discusses key findings and considerations around co-design and inclusive practices that elicit learning from lived experiences, the importance of personalising the app experience for optimal benefit of CaLD users, and how focusing on visuals, utilising gamification and simplifying language ensures greater accessibility. This research contributes to the existing literature by addressing the question of how to design a disaster risk resilience smartphone app that is accessible and usable for CaLD communities. By emphasising the role of digital technologies in fostering authentic and critical communication between government agencies and diverse community members, this study endeavours to empower CaLD communities in disaster risk resilience, making strides towards a more inclusive and culturally responsive approach to disaster preparedness.