Q&A
Data disaggregation and publicly available data
1:29:50
ยท
7 min
The discussion focuses on the importance of data disaggregation across city agencies and the role of MOERJ in developing guidelines for this process. Tigani explains the current state of data disaggregation efforts and the need for comprehensive implementation.
- MOERJ is responsible for releasing standard guidelines for data disaggregation across city government
- Chapter 78 expands racial equity planning to all of city government, necessitating new guidelines
- Tigani emphasizes the need for disaggregated data in every report and decision-making process
- The importance of asking for disaggregated data during preliminary hearings for city agencies is highlighted
Nantasha M. Williams
1:29:50
Yeah I also wanted to thank you for your details.
1:29:53
I'm like wow, you're including your method, Likert scale.
1:29:59
I'm like, oh, I feel like I'm back in school.
1:30:03
I hate data classes.
1:30:05
Anyway, the other question I had had to do with the same thing.
1:30:12
You just you just kind of answered it really which is if you have any recommendations on the data that you one feel should be publicly available and if any agencies are not disaggregating said data, who are those agencies and what is that data?
Linda Tigani
1:30:34
Sure.
1:30:35
So as it stands chapter 78 just called for data disaggregation and our charter specifically also defines that term to really uplift its importance both in the racial equity planning process but also in the work of good government and in the work of multiracial democracy.
1:30:54
So as it stands, there's no standard guidelines across New York City government, whether it is for city agencies or independent commissions or task forces.
1:31:07
That is something that MOERJ I know is currently working on.
1:31:11
When that gets released, then we'll be able to see what agency, if any, is complying or maybe not in compliance, what technical assistance they need.
1:31:23
However, that work, to my read of the charter, is the responsibility of MOERJ.
1:31:29
We work with them closely on several things and so we're more than happy to work with them to move forward data disaggregation guidelines but that really is the first step.
Nantasha M. Williams
1:31:40
So wait, you're saying MOERJ is supposed to provide like a template for all agencies or like explain that to me.
1:31:51
What are they supposed to do?
Linda Tigani
1:31:52
So according to the charter, my read is that MOERJ is responsible for releasing standard guidelines that all of government should use.
1:32:03
I do want to know though that prior to MOERJ's existence, there were also New York City laws about data disaggregation that aligns with Local Law 174 that was really sort of like a first early version of what racial equity planning could be in the city, but that local law was specific to just a few city agencies.
1:32:25
Right.
1:32:26
So chapter 78 really expands racial equity planning to the entire, to all of city government, and with that must come guidelines.
1:32:36
And I know that that is something that they're working on, and that's something that we will be looking to see in the racial equity plans.
Nantasha M. Williams
1:32:43
Yeah I know you know here in the council a lot of times we're preempted by the state, we're preempted by the admin, but what I do feel a lot of people tend to do is like reporting bills and sometimes these reporting bills kind of like force the agencies to disaggregate their data.
1:33:03
So it would be good to know what agencies either maybe are not complying because I feel like enforcement is just a problem, like we have these laws already written but compelling people to actually follow the law is a different story.
1:33:20
So it would just be helpful to know because it seems like you have a sense or you could point out specific agencies, the type of data that is available, not available, disaggregated, not disaggregated.
1:33:33
It would just be some good information to have.
1:33:39
You mentioned this line of much of the publicly available data is outdated not disaggregated and adequate.
1:33:46
Various races, genders, gender identities, ages, our research must reflect that diversity.
1:33:52
Do you have a sense of like what research are you talking about?
1:33:57
Is it just like general or again can you like pinpoint and say like in Department of Health you know they released this report and this report didn't have XYZ with the NYPD they did this but it like do you have specifics?
Linda Tigani
1:34:12
No we do not have specific agencies that I would say are doing it really great or not doing it at all.
1:34:22
I think what we have found across the board is when looking at publicly available data that there is a I would say mismatch on what demographic categories are collected by city agencies requested and may be listed as voluntary or not required.
1:34:47
We also in our work offered respondents to write preferred not to answer if they felt uncomfortable, but even having some of that voluntary data was particularly helpful.
1:34:59
I will say we heard the call for disaggregated data during COVID-nineteen, the early stages of COVID-nineteen when a great number of our communities harmed by racism and social injustice were dying at a higher rate, were experiencing illness and hospitalizations at a higher rate, but also impacted by all the social determinants of health.
1:35:21
And then we started to see the health department shift also in how they were reporting, so we're seeing that disaggregation.
1:35:28
But we do want to see that across the board.
1:35:31
We want to see that consistently.
1:35:32
So when we're talking about what reports, there is no report.
1:35:37
There is no data share that should come from government that is not disaggregated.
1:35:43
All of our data must always be disaggregated for race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, zip code, chronic illness or disability.
1:35:55
This is essential information to being able to make informed decisions that ensure that our policies and our investments are addressing the people in the greatest need and are impacted the greatest whether it be by natural disasters or climate change or a disease or potential vaccine or remedy.
1:36:17
We need disaggregated data for every single report.
1:36:20
Every single reporting bill that comes out of city council should have specific instruction in the bill to disaggregate the data.
1:36:30
And I would also say that we have a series of preliminary hearings that are coming up for city agencies and when they are sharing their data we should be asking them what is the breakdown?
1:36:44
Where is this investment going?
1:36:45
Which communities?
1:36:47
What are the demographics?
Nantasha M. Williams
1:36:50
No, that's helpful and it's I appreciate you for for bringing that up as like a core issue because you know I often say like elected officials were reactionary, know, like something happens, we want to do something about it, we never really bothered to go back and see you know how the data is being collected, how various groups entities like you can actually use the use the data to effectuate change, at least the change that I know I want to see.
1:37:19
So thank you for flagging that.
1:37:21
I will be doing some more digging into that because that is quite interesting and personally fascinating for me on a nerdy level.