Age and Disability Friendly Plan

City of Novato

Novato Residents

Stories of Lived Experiences

Local Aging and Disability Action Plan

MADI was awarded a grant by the California Department of Aging to partner with the City of Novato staff and leadership as well as the Age and Disability Friendly Novato (ADFN) team to develop a local Age and Disability Friendly plan. The goal is to improve community livability for people of all ages and abilities by addressing the current, emerging and future needs of Novato’s older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. This will be achieved through cross-sector collaboration, transformational systems and elevating the strengths and voices of community partners to ensure full inclusion in all City planning initiatives. To learn more about the project please visit the ADFN website: agedisabilityfriendlynovato.org

Novato

Novato is the second most populous city in Marin County and the largest in terms of land area. It was incorporated in 1960. It has a population of 53,225. Of those 8,123 people (15.7%) who are 65 or older and 2,415 (11.9%) of those are living alone. What is now Novato was originally the site of several Coast Miwok villages: Chokecherry, near downtown Novato; Puyuku, near Ignacio; and Olómpali, at the present-day Olómpali State Historic Park. The southwestern part of Novato is significantly more mountainous, whereas eastern Novato is characterized by marshlands and diked fields and pastures. Visit the City of Novato website for more information: novato.org

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 reengaged with the AARP Network of Age- Friendly States and Communities in 2025 after their initial membership in 2017.

Plan Themes & Focus Areas

The ADFN Action Plan is structured around five focus areas:

Living Well Together
- Expand inclusive, intergenerational programs and spaces
- Promote awareness of support services for older adults and caregivers
- Launch an online and offline resource hub
Great Places
- Support affordable and accessible housing
- Advocate for ADA improvements in parks and public spaces
- Help residents age in place safely
A City That Works
- Improve public transportation access and safety
- Strengthen emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations
- Increase access to information in multiple formats and languages
Economic Vitality
- Create inclusive workforce opportunities
- Recognize businesses and organizations that lead in accessibility
- Support caregivers and adults reentering the workforce
Supporting Lives & Strengthening All Futures
- Prioritize outreach to underrepresented communities
- Reduce stigma and discrimination based on age, disability, or race
- Diversify advisory leadership to reflect Novato’s full community

Implementation & Next Steps

This plan is a living document, designed to evolve over time. ADFN will track progress through a new oversight committee, annual updates, and a final evaluation report submitted to AARP by 2028.

Community Engagement Moving Forward

To ensure the success of the Age and Disability Friendly Novato (ADFN) Action Plan, we are calling on community members to stay engaged in shaping an inclusive future. A long-term ADFN Advisory Committee will be formed to guide implementation, ensure accountability, and keep the work grounded in lived experiences.

In addition, we will be forming short-term working groups to act on three key priorities during the first year. These working groups will focus on:

Expanding inclusive, intergenerational programming for all ages and abilities
Improving access to affordable, accessible housing
Enhancing communication and outreach for all

Your ideas, skills, and lived experiences can help build a Novato that works for everyone. Please contact us if you wish to be part of the Advisory Committee or a working group around these key action areas.