Novato Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan
2025-2028
A Roadmap to Inclusion, Health, and Equity for All Ages and Abilities
The Age and Disability Friendly Novato (ADFN) Action Plan 2025–2028 is the result of a year-long, community-driven process to make Novato a more inclusive, livable, and accessible city for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and residents of all ages.
Led by the Marin Aging and Disability Institute (MADI) in partnership with the City of Novato and funded by the California Department of Aging, the action plan reflects the voices of hundreds of residents through surveys, focus groups, storytelling, and workshops. It aligns with the California Master Plan for Aging and supports Novato’s
Parks and Recreation and General Plans goals.
Key Steps in the ADFN Planning Process:
- Community Engagement: Surveys, focus groups, and recorded storytelling sessions gathered lived experiences from older adults, caregivers, veterans, people with disabilities, and underrepresented groups
- Equity & Inclusion Training: Residents and city staff participated in ageism and ableism education.
- Assessment Report: Findings from the community input shaped priorities and identified local strengths and challenges.
- Action Plan Development: Drafted in collaboration with community leaders, city departments, community members and advisory committees, with Parks and recreation and Novato city council review.
- AARP Network Membership: Novato reingaged with the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2025 after their initial membership in 2017.
What’s Next for ADFN
This plan is a living document, designed to evolve over time. ADFN will track progress providing annual updates, and a final evaluation report submitted to AARP by 2028.
In our initial efforts ADFN will seek to:
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Gather together for inclusive intergenerational events for folks of all ages and abilities.
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Advocate for ongoing accessibility improvements to public parks and buildings.
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Connect Novato residents to resources for older adults and people with disabilities.
Join Us!
Our ADFN Advisory Committee is open to additional residents who are committed to working in collaboration with the City to ensure Novato is a community where residents of ALL ages and abilities can thrive.
Your ideas, skills, and lived experiences can help shape the work we do and implement our action plan.
Please contact us if you wish to be part of the Advisory Committee.
Action teams. Email: [email protected]
Download the Full Report
Novato Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan 2025–2028 (PDF)