Table 1.

Common Community Consultation/Public Disclosure Strategies and Potential Limitations

Community Consultation Strategy	Limitations
Media Channels ■Television ■Radio ■Regional newspaper ■Local newspaper	Breadth of reach but not depth of information Do not know who is actually reached Timing determined by paper/radio/TV Can only address general issues Cannot focus message to sub groups Greater expense Language dependent Requires individuals to take action to provide input
Random digit dialing	“Hit and miss” households Many households do not have land lines Calls to cell phones may charge respondent, reducing response rates
Town hall meetings	Reaches whoever shows up Traditionally not well attended Do not know if attendees truly represent the larger community
Join existing community group agendas ■Health groups ■Churches	Cannot reach all groups May require targeted or limited message
Hotline, call-in	Requires staff and increases cost Limited access Usually addresses one person at a time
Website	Limited bi-directional communication May not be accessible to some subgroups (elderly, low literacy, etc.) Language dependent
Social networking site	Requires moderator and increases cost Cannot control content
Posters, flyers, bus placards	Limited amount of information can be provided Passive, no interaction Cannot determine reach or impact Reading level, language limitations Limited distribution or visibility