Improving the accessibility and usability of our disaster preparedness tool: Get ePrepared
24 Oct 2024
At Justice Connect, we’re taking proactive steps to help Australians prepare for an era marked by increasingly unpredictable and severe disasters. We’ve recently released a new and improved version of Get ePrepared, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned and how we’ve enhanced our support for communities facing disaster-related legal need.
Use Get ePrepared
Australia’s evolving disaster landscape
As disasters become more frequent, the notion of ‘disaster seasons’ is becoming nonexistent. We now operate in an “always-on” state of preparedness. Justice Connect is adapting our strategies and expanding our focus from disaster response to building community resilience and preparedness. This proactive approach helps ensure that communities are well equipped to navigate the legal complexities that arise after a disaster.
Get ePrepared’s success so far
Since its launch in January 2024, Get ePrepared has proven to be a valuable resource for Australians who are seeking to safeguard their essential documents. Through thoughtful co-design and a trauma-informed approach, our free self-help tool provides a space for Australians to learn new digital skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Incorporating simple language and relatable coaches who guide you through each step has made the tool accessible to users from varied backgrounds, fostering greater confidence in their ability to take steps to prepare themselves.
Since launching, Get ePrepared has:
- Been viewed over 90,000 times.
- Helped almost 10,000 Australians learn new digital skills.
- Received an 85% helpfulness rating from users.
- Reached many digitally-excluded older Australians, with 50% of views from people aged 65+.
- Maintained a System Usability Score (SUS) is 69.28, which is above the global average of 68.
Reaching the right demographic
At the heart of our multi-channel outreach campaigns is a suite of five core personas – the New Preparer, the Seasoned Preparer, the Cautious Preparer, the Future Preparer, and the Lighthouse. Understanding the needs, motivations, and emotions of these audiences created a framework to guide our messaging and target our outreach.
We implemented consumer-focused online marketing strategies across platforms like Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google, and email, using demographic and behaviour-based targeting to reach groups with low digital inclusion and high disaster risk. Our efforts successfully engaged older individuals around Australia, who accounted for 50% of the views to Get ePrepared. We also trialled multiple outreach tactics, and after refining our approach to direct users to specific features, we increased our conversion rate from 11% to 15%.
To complement our digital outreach, we engaged with trusted community partners to have Get ePrepared featured in their newsletters and distribution channels. We also launched an introduction to the Get ePrepared webinar, targeted at Lighthouses, New Navigators, and Cautious Preparers, which attracted over 200 registrations.
Insights from the Get ePrepared evaluation
Our recent evaluation of Get ePrepared highlighted several key strengths and areas for improvement. Users reported that the self-help tool successfully raised awareness about online storage options and helped them select approaches tailored to their preferences. However, feedback indicated a need for specific guidance to transition this knowledge into actionable steps. The evaluation’s findings have informed the enhancements we’ve made in the second iteration of Get ePrepared, ensuring we better meet the needs of our users.
What’s new in Get ePrepared?
Building on our success, the new version of Get ePrepared now features:
- Improved navigation: A reorganised layout and simplified menu streamline the overall navigation experience, allowing users to find what they need faster and more intuitively.
- Enhanced accessibility: Get ePrepared is now easier to use for people of all digital abilities.
- Upgraded usability: The tool offers a smoother experience with simplified instructions and a user-friendly design, empowering individuals to engage with disaster preparedness tasks confidently.
Expanding our reach and impact
In the upcoming year, we aim to deepen our connection to communities with lower digital inclusion and higher disaster risk. By partnering with local organisations and frontline workers, we aim to bridge the gap in disaster preparedness, ensuring communities have access to critical resources before it’s too late.
As technology evolves, so too does our approach to legal preparedness. As we continue to develop Get ePrepared, we remain committed to ensuring that no one is left behind, especially in times of crisis. By leveraging technology and community collaboration, we strive to enhance the legal resilience of all Australians.
