Technology and Public Input

A growing number of local agencies are experimenting with different kinds of technology to enhance their public meetings or workshops. Their goals may be to broaden participation, accelerate progress on decision making or create a “safe space” for feedback on contentious issues. Some are especially excited about online public participation software. These articles and tip sheets are intended to help local officials both select and implement these tools in a way that may help more fully achieve the goal of more inclusive participation.