Disability Resources
It is important that senior nutrition programs are inclusive of their diverse community members, including people with disabilities. This collection of resources provides tools and information that can help educate and support program staff to create welcoming, accessible environments.
Guides
- Accessible Parking Spaces— ADA.gov guidelines for accessible parking
- Effectively Connecting and Serving Diverse Older Adults — Tips and considerations when serving a diverse group of older adults
- Disability Language Style Guide— Guidelines from the National Center on Disability and Journalism regarding the terminology commonly used when referring to disability
- Delivering Telewellness Programs to Older Adults With Disabilities— TechSAge guidelines for classes delivered via video conferencing
- Partnering With Senior Services To Reach Low-Vision Consumers— 45-minute webinar from the Older Individuals who are Blind - Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC)
- Making Your Senior Center Accessible to Low Vision Older Adults— Overview from NCOA exploring how to make accommodations and processes more comfortable and accessible for those with visual impairments
Fact Sheets
- Communicating Effectively With People With Disabilities— ADA.gov tips for successful communication
- Service Animals— ADA.gov explanation on service animals, their differences from emotional support animals, tasks they perform, access rights, and allowed questions
- Social Connections Among Older Adults and People With Disabilities— NCI-AD data spotlight on impact of social isolation
Tools and Toolkits
- Care Transitions Intervention Toolkit— Aging and Disability Resource Centers toolkit, developed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, to enhance the Care Transition Intervention model
- Benefits CheckUp— Comprehensive tool from NCOA that connects older adults and people with disabilities to benefits
- Understanding Blindness and Low Vision— Free courses from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision