Register for Part II: Thursday, March 18, 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET.
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has left many older adults and people with disabilities grieving the loss of close relationships and a sense of community due to physical distancing orders, staffing shortages, and the closing of day programs. All this takes a considerable toll on their physical and mental well-being.
The transition to telemedicine and virtual services in place of in-person services has helped expand care to millions. However, without the skills, resources and supports to get online and participate in digital forums, many older adults and people with disabilities are more isolated than ever. This “digital divide” affects their ability to obtain life-saving health information, medical services, procure basic goods and services, address social determinants of health (employment, education, transportation), and stay connected.
It is uncertain when in-person services will resume to pre-pandemic levels. However, as our society and healthcare shifts digitally beneficiaries will need to be able to use digital technologies for daily living and to participate in society. Investing in technology solutions may provide opportunities that can be implemented now and preserved after the end of the Public Health Emergency to supplement and support in-person services such as: socialization, the ability to address disability- and language--related barriers, tools to manage chronic diseases and promote behavioral change.
This two part webinar series provides HCBS stakeholders a holistic framework to address 5 key areas:
Part I (Held March 4, 2021)
- Awareness and Leadership: Leadership, funding, policies, public engagement, stakeholder mobilization
- Beneficiary and provider: Assessing technology needs/opportunities, engagement, education, and supports
- Barriers: Identifying cultural and systemic barriers
Part II (March 18, 2021)
- Internet: Access and affordability
- Devices and Software/Apps: Affordability, accessibility, technical considerations, ongoing technical supports.
Panelists:
- Eduard Bartholme, Associate Bureau Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
- Trinity Thorpe-Lubneuski, Senior Director, Internet Essentials, Comcast
- Kim W. Fisher, Ph.D., FAAIDD, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, Illinois State University
- Gregg C Vanderheiden, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Trace R&D Center, College of Information Studies, University of Maryland
- Patricia Yeager, Ph.D., CEO, The Independence Center (Colorado)
- Alex Witzenburg, IT Generalist, The Independence Center (Colorado)
- Michelle Jeske, President, Public Library Association and City Librarian, Denver Public Library
- Samuel Taylor, Senior Policy Associate, Center For Connected Health Policy
The webinar will be recorded. If you are interested in the webinars and cannot attend, please register using the link above. We will send you the recording link via email.
About the Webinar Series
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) host a monthly webinar series that invites subject matter experts and practitioners from across the home-and-community-based services (HCBS) continuum to share insights and best practices to develop high quality HCBS programs and services.
Questions? Email HCBSSTPHelpdesk@neweditions.net.