For many of us, the holidays are a joyful time, filled with opportunities to celebrate with friends and family. For people who are socially isolated, the holidays can bring opportunities to reconnect with loved ones, as families who live far apart and extended family members find ways to celebrate traditions.  

For far too many others, though, the holidays stand as stark reminders of disconnectedness, which can make feelings of loneliness and symptoms of depression worse than ever. 

Social isolation is a long-recognized problem for older Americans, particularly the one in three older people who live alone. Similarly, a recent study published in Disability and Health Journal reported that people with disabilities experience loneliness, low perceived social support, and social isolation at significantly higher rates than people without a disability.

Unfortunately, social isolation seems to be increasing, a trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation. In the past decade the number of Americans living alone has grown 10 percent. This trend has significant consequences.  We know that social isolation can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, increasing the risk of many illnesses, and even premature death.  Beyond the human cost of social isolation, there are also financial repercussions. For example, an estimated $6.7 billion in annual Medicare spending is attributable to social isolation among older adults.

That’s why addressing social isolation is an important component of many of the programs funded by ACL.  Probably the best-known example is the Older Americans Act congregate meals program, which brings people together for a nutritious meal, but equally important, provides opportunities to socialize. In fact, many participants report that the program is their only social opportunity. Gathering for a meal also provides an opportunity for people to connect to other programs that can reduce isolation.

Of course, when the pandemic struck, in-person meals were among the first cancellations. However, the aging network transformed operations to offer grab-and-go meals and expand home delivery options, and they also got creative to find ways to ensure that each meal continued to provide an opportunity to connect.

Adaptions involving congregate meals are just one example of how the networks adjusted to COVID-19. Across the aging and disability networks, our programs have demonstrated an awe-inspiring degree of innovation and determination to help make it possible for people with disabilities and older adults to connect with others and continue to engage in the community, despite the need to stay physically apart. 

Very early in the pandemic, it became clear that a coordinated, national approach also was needed to support these efforts.  In response, ACL pulled together partners from across federal government, the aging and disability network, philanthropy, and industry to tackle the challenge of combatting social isolation – during COVID-19 and beyond.

Together, we have created the Commit to Connect campaign – a public-private partnership that is:

• building a nationwide network of champions to collaborate on solutions and help us reach more people;
• developing an online, consumer-focused tool that matches people who are socially isolated to customized suggestions for resources that can help them connect and engage;
• establishing critical partnerships in communities and across all levels of government;
• sharing successful initiatives that can be implemented in communities across the country; and more.  

Commit to Connect challenges each of us to do our part -- to connect and engage ourselves and to reach out to others to help them to do the same.

ACL will be sharing more about Commit to Connect soon, but today I want to encourage everyone to step up and Commit to Connect this holiday season. For most of us, the holidays will be different this year, as we avoid in-person gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, there are many ways we can still connect and celebrate together.

First, take a moment and think about the people in your life. Who among them lives alone? When is the last time you reached out to them? As you’re planning your holiday celebrations, are you finding ways to include them?

At ACL.gov/CommitToConnect, you will find activities that people can do alone or with family and friends. You’ll also find links to resources that will help you find programs and activities in communities across the country. We’ve even compiled gift ideas that can help people connect. Please help us share these suggestions with the people who need them most.

If we all Commit to Connect this holiday season we can make the season brighter for millions of Americans. And if we all Commit to Connect beyond the holidays and beyond COVID-19, we can make an even bigger difference. Ultimately, we can work toward eliminating social isolation altogether. Will you join me?  

As National Family Caregivers Month draws to a close, I cannot help but reflect on the many challenges this year has presented to caregivers, families, service programs, and the nation. The strength and resilience of the people we serve and the networks who support them are matched by ACL’s resolve to recognize and support family caregivers. During this season of thanks, I celebrate the progress we have made and assure you that ACL is committed to continuing this important work.

This year, ACL expanded the reach of two key programs that support both families and caregivers. Through three-year grants under the Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative, four tribal organizations will work to improve services and supports for families affected by dementia in Indian Country. Additionally, a new Lifespan Respite Special Projects grant launched a three-year effort to enhance workforce development, state-based respite planning, and state and local approaches to assisting families in the development of their own systems of supports.

We also have made great progress fulfilling the requirements of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act. Working closely with the talented and dedicated members of the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council – which includes a diverse group of family caregivers and stakeholder groups invested in supporting them — we delved into critical issues for families, seeking to understand the challenges they face in supporting their loved ones’ independence—and also looking for solutions.

ACL, the Council, and a remarkable group of partners have brought to life the vision Congress set for the RAISE Act, moving us closer to a National Family Caregiving Strategy. These partners include The John A. Hartford Foundation, the National Academy for State Health Policy, the National Alliance for Caregiving, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Community Catalyst. The shared commitment of Council members and partners to improving the lives of family caregivers is extraordinary. Each time we meet, I am inspired by their creativity, vision, and dedication to strengthening support for the millions of family caregivers across this country.

Just last week, the Council voted to adopt a comprehensive slate of recommendations that will form the foundation of the National Family Caregiving Strategy. The recommendations cover a range of critical issues we must address in bold and meaningful ways in order to demonstrate that we value family caregivers — and, even more important, to ensure they are able to continue to provide the support they provide. Key issues include improving public awareness and outreach, strengthening services and supports, and addressing financial and workplace concerns. These recommendations provide a path to better recognizing and supporting family caregivers, and in turn, supporting independence and community living for millions of older adults and people with disabilities.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week and look back on this challenging year, I am grateful for the more than 50 million family caregivers across this great country who give their all to support those they love and help them remain independent in their homes and communities. For ACL and the Council, family caregivers are at the core of our mission, and for the nation, they are the cornerstone of our long-term services system.  Please join me in giving thanks for these extraordinary people—this month and throughout the year.

Today, all of us at ACL join our nation in honoring those who have served in the military and recognizing the vital role they play in preserving our freedom.

As a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, it is an honor to work alongside so many at ACL who have served in the armed forces. Over the last few years, we've introduced some of them through our Facebook album, and we’ve added a few more faces this year – I hope you’ll take a minute to check it out!

It also is a great honor to be able to serve older veterans and veterans with disabilities through many of our programs.

For example, with funding from a grant from ACL, Michigan State University Extension offers a Tai Chi program to help older veterans maintain balance and prevent falls. The program is one of many evidence-based falls prevention programs ACL funds around the country that have been proven to reduce falls, the fear of falling, and fall-related injuries in older adults.

Like so many ACL grantees, Michigan State is offering virtual programming in order to help participants stay safe. One veteran said doing Tai Chi at home was "perfect," noting that the format was especially helpful for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder during the pandemic.

"We have good days and not so good days," the veteran wrote. "Yet, with the online courses, we can ‘shelter in place’ and still participate and interact, or not, with the other participants."

 Another ACL grantee, the University of Illinois at Chicago, hosted a series of online classes on health and wellness for older women veterans this summer. The peer support classes used the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) approach, which includes identifying wellness tools and habits, recognizing early warning signs, and developing crisis and post-crisis plans. Participants used the approach to address anxiety, trouble sleeping, COVID-19 social restrictions, and unhealthy eating.

UIC is one of ACL’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) grantees. CDSME programs provide older adults and adults with disabilities with education and tools to help better manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain, and depression.

ACL also partners with the Veterans Health Administration on another innovative program to help veterans stay healthy and live independently in the community. The Veteran Directed Care program provides veterans of all ages who are eligible for nursing home care the opportunity to direct their own long-term services and supports in the community. The veterans decide for themselves what mix of goods and services best meet their needs, manage their own flexible budgets, and hire and supervise their own workers.

In Colorado Springs, CO the program is helping a 69-year-old retired veteran living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) receive around-the-clock care at home. He started the program, run by his VA Medical Center and the Independence Center (a center for independent living), last year after a three-month hospital stay for severe respiratory distress. He employs 8-10 people, including family members, who provide daily support and care, with a registered nurse providing weekly support and health monitoring. The program has made it possible for him to live at home where he is surrounded by family, and a part of his grandchildren's lives.

The program’s flexibility and veteran-centered approach have been particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic as the ability to compensate family members for the work of caregiving has allowed many veterans in the program to reduce the number of people with whom they come into close contact. The Independence Center has enrolled 48 additional veterans into the program since the start of the pandemic and 61% of caregivers employed through the program are family members.

The participants of these three programs are just a few of the many veterans ACL and our networks have the honor of serving. As I have said before, we believe that helping veterans preserve their independence is one of the best ways we can honor the sacrifices they made to preserve our nation's independence.

To all those who have served this country, thank you!

See Also:

White House Proclamation:  America’s veterans have fought to defend our country, its values, and its interests since the first days of our founding. They have defeated tyrants, eliminated terrorists, and secured freedom at home and abroad. Their courage and fortitude in the face of adversity serve as an example for all Americans. On Veterans Day, we pause to pay tribute to all who have proudly worn our Nation’s uniform. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen selflessly placed lives, well‑being, and security of others before their own. We enjoy the privileges of peace, prosperity, and freedom because of our veterans, and we are forever indebted to them beyond measure.

Throughout the month of October, our nation has been celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the many contributions of workers with disabilities.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of NDEAM and the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These milestones offer us an opportunity to recognize the great progress we have made towards advancing competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to knock down the barriers that continue to keep far too many people with disabilities out of the workforce.

Research and on-the-ground implementation of evidence-based approaches and interventions are critical to knowing what works, arming the field with the information needed to address the employment disparities experienced by people with disabilities.

On Wednesday, ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) led a virtual NDEAM celebration focused on the past, present, and future of disability employment research.

NIDILRR currently administers around 47 grants that focus on employment. These range from postdoctoral grants and small business innovation research grants to Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. NIDILRR's work includes both cross-disability research and research on increasing opportunities for people with specific types of disabilities—such as psychiatric disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and sensory disabilities.

This week’s event featured lessons and take-aways from decades of research and touched on many topics, including the importance of substantive early work experiences, the role of bias and expectations in employment outcomes, the shift from one-size-fits-all to individualized work supports, and how different policies can expand or hinder employment opportunities.

In addition to this event, ThinkWork! at the University of Massachusetts Boston Institute for Community Inclusion hosted a webinar earlier this month to highlight findings from a five-year NIDILRR grant on advancing employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Investments in research and translating knowledge into action are just some of the ways ACL is working to close the employment gap for people with disabilities.

ACL is also investing in rapid innovation by reaching out to the business community. Last fall, we launched the Inclusive Talent Pipeline for American Businesses prize challenge, because we knew there were great ideas out there that could help modernize employment recruitment, training, and retention for Americans with disabilities. The challenge offers $380,000 in prize money to be awarded in three phases. We received more than 50 creative proposal submissions, and we are currently working with the five finalists:

• The ARC of Southwest Indiana,
• FALA Technologies,
• Kennesaw State University,
• KPMG, and
• Mentra

In addition, just a few weeks ago, ACL’s Administration on Disabilities launched the Employment Training and Technical Assistance Center. The center will provide an array of disability employment tools and resources tailored to the needs of our grantees. 

While ending employment disparities has always been important, the COVID-19 pandemic has added new urgency to this work.

We cannot let this pandemic shake our resolve—and we haven’t. I am in awe of the determination and creativity with which our networks and partners on the ground have adapted to maintain critical disability employment services.

For example, TURN Community Services in Utah helped individuals receiving supports assess and understand their risk level so they could make informed choices about their employment, helped individuals access personal protective equipment and adopt safety measures, and worked with employers to adjust hours in order to reduce potential risks associated with taking public transportation. Many providers around the country also are using technology to continue coaching and other employment supports.

Since the pandemic began, ACL's Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center worked with Green Mountain Self-Advocates to create plain-language resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including a new plain language booklet for employees. The guide describes many of the federal rules in place to protect workers from COVID-19 and offers information and tools to guide decisions about going out in public during the pandemic.

As difficult as the pandemic has been, it has also forced us to innovate and do things differently. For businesses and service providers alike, it has created a runway for change and we know that many of these changes will outlast the virus itself. 

With employers around the country rethinking where and how work happens, we have an opportunity to create workplaces that are more inclusive and allow people of all abilities to contribute their skills and talents.

Every October, we celebrate the rights and dignity of people who live in residential long-term care settings, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

This year’s theme for Residents’ Rights Month is spot-on: "Connection Matters.” Now more than ever, we must strengthen the connections that bind all of us, regardless of age or ability, to each other.

This year has been hard on everyone, but the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on residents of long-term care facilities. The statistics and stories from across the country have been heartbreaking—especially for residents, their families and friends, and facility staff. In addition to the direct danger posed by the virus itself, the months of restrictions on visitation and the inability of residents, families, and friends to be together during the coronavirus pandemic have posed real danger. The last few months have driven home for all of us what we already knew about social isolation and loneliness; it increases the risk of physical and mental health decline, especially among older adults. This makes connection of any and every kind all the more essential.

As difficult as this year has been, we stand in awe of the resilience of residents and families—and the people who support them.

I particularly want to recognize Long-term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) programs across the county. These programs educate residents, families, friends, and staff about resident rights, investigate and resolve complaints, and raise awareness about systemic issues that affect residents.

Ombudsmen have risen to the challenge and continued to advocate for residents and their families, despite the many challenges – and personal risks – they have faced. It was no surprise that as the pandemic began, ombudsmen sprang into action to reach residents and combat isolation, through a variety of new and creative means.

For example, staff of Alabama’s LTCO program sent cards to residents and participated in weekly parades outside nursing homes to let residents know they were not alone. In Pennsylvania, the program launched a weekly statewide online gathering for families whose loved ones live in long-term care facilities. The gatherings quickly grew in popularity and became important ways for families to get information and to connect with each other for support. And the Connecticut and Michigan ombudsmen started evening Facebook Live events for residents, family, and friends to share their experiences and troubleshoot issues.

I am so proud of them. And to the many dedicated Long-term Care Ombudsman program staff and volunteers, thank you! It is the privilege of a lifetime to be able to work alongside you.

I also want to recognize the perseverance of other ACL grantees whose who have been working hard to support residents’ rights. For example, Older Americans Act legal assistance programs in every state have teamed with our Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs to assert residents’ rights, especially rights around visitation, and the right to not be involuntarily evicted and the right to return to a facility after a hospitalization.  Protection and advocacy agencies, who monitor many long-term care settings and advocate for residents’ rights and safety, also have been finding creative ways to continue their critical work. And Centers for Independent Living have served as a critical resource for residents wishing to transition back into the community. 

One of the most valued rights of an American citizen is the right to vote and a number of ACL grantees are working to ensure that residents are able to exercise this right safely. We've compiled some resources on voting here.

At ACL, we have been working to support our programs and advocate on behalf of residents.

Much of this work has been done in collaboration with our federal partners and I wanted to highlight two exciting recent developments from my colleagues at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

• CMS issued revised visitation guidance that addresses the harmful impact of social isolation and begins to “open up” nursing homes to outside visitors. The guidance provides reasonable ways a nursing home can safely facilitate in-person visitation. I am proud of the role our State Ombudsmen played collaborating with CMS and with ACL to shape this guidance.
• The Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes issued their final report with recommendation on protecting residents.

All of these programs are rooted in the fundamental belief that all Americans have dignity and inalienable rights, and these are not diminished by age or disability.

I would like to end with the words of a resident, Judi J., who lives in an assisted living facility in Missouri. In her submission to the Consumer Voice Resident's Voice Challenge, Judi shares four ways she has survived COVID-19 and stayed connected:

1. My Faith – prayers and communing with God
2. Bingo – we could not have made it without it. We perk up when (we) hear there’s Bingo!
3. Bridge, Trivia, Mind Games – Bringing residents together, have fun and take our mind off outside world happenings
4. Community – Current Friendships have been strengthened; new bonds have been formed. Also the ‘community at large’ has reached out to us”

We celebrate the resilience, wisdom, and dignity of Judi and the many other Americans living in long-term care facilities.

July 26 marked the 30th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, and last week included a number of events to celebrate. I know it was difficult for everyone to participate in all of them, so I wanted to share some highlights and links to some of the recordings that are now available.

On July 30, I joined leaders from across HHS to reflect on the progress we have made and talk about some of our ongoing work to achieve the ADA's full promise of dignity, rights, and community living. (Watch a recording of the event.)

The event was kicked off by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, who called the ADA "an important step forward in affirming the dignity and rights of people with disabilities." 

Sec. Azar highlighted HHS' work to protect the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the critical work of Centers for independent Living and work by HHS' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to prevent care rationing. He also made clear that that work needed to be done to address challenges including access to care, prejudices and stereotypes, and barriers to community living.

The event also featured a panel with leaders from ACL, OCR, the Administration for Children and Families (OCR), the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS), and the Indian Health Service (IHS).

OCR Director Roger Severino provided some historical context, pointing out the parallels between the work of civil rights giants like Rep. John Lewis to integrate busses and restaurants and the work of disability rights advocates to ensure access to restaurants, buses, and other public spaces. The common thread, he noted, is respect for the fundamental dignity of every person. Looking toward the future, Severino warned about cultural stigma that disregards this inherent dignity and instead measures people based on a judgement of how much they can "contribute."

Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson spoke about ACF's work to protect the rights of parents with disabilities and children with disabilities, including one-third of children in foster care, with  an emphasis on "wrap-around" services to better support families and avoid foster care for more children with disabilities. Assist. Sec. Johnson's hope for the future is that "children will not be removed from parents … or a parent will not have to lose their child because they cannot get the help they need" to support their child who has a disability.

CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services Calder Lynch said that expanding access to home and community-based services is a "win-win" that allows people to live where they want while saving taxpayers money. He highlighted CMS's work with states to increase services in the community, as "COVID-19 has underscored the additional risks that come with living in congregate and institutional settings."

IHS Director Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee spoke about the importance of accessible and culturally competent health services. Rear Adm. Weahkee highlighted innovative IHS programs that use community training and technology to bring services to people in rural and remote communities, part of a larger approach that "brings healthcare to our patients, rather than bringing patients in for healthcare."

Julie Hocker, Commissioner of ACL's Administration on Disabilities, closed the event by sharing her experience as a person with a disability who mostly grew up in a post-ADA world. 

"I've rarely ever had to think twice about perusing all my goals," she said. "it just never ever occurred to me that I would ever be stopped, or face barriers, when going to school, or applying to jobs, or just trying to hang out with my friends or my families."

"Those things that I took for granted … they were not available to generations of people with disabilities before me," she continued. "These rights, these opportunities, have been available to me because those generations fought so hard to ensure that they would be … as an adult, I recognize the debt my generation owes to those early advocates and fighters."

Of course, we weren’t the only ones celebrating the ADA.

Earlier this year, I had the honor of starting a second term as the chair of the U.S. Access Board. On July 29, I joined my fellow Access Board members for a celebration of the ADA's achievements. One highlight was an 11 minute video on the history of the disability rights movement, which high school student Sruthi Subramanian created for a National History Day competition. The video featured a wide variety of disability rights activists, including Judy Heumann, who joined us as a speaker during the Access Board celebration.

And right after our event, I joined colleagues from the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor; the Rehabilitation Services Administration within the Department of Education; and the Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of Veterans Affairs for a discussion on ensuring accessible transportation at an event hosted by the Department of Transportation. In case you missed it, DOT has posted a recording.

It was a busy week, and by the end, I was in awe of all that the disability community has accomplished over the last 30 years, and I was energized to continue the important work that lies ahead.

The spirit of the ADA is at the core of our work at ACL. It is literally threaded through almost everything we do. Everyone, regardless of age or disability, should have the same opportunity to live and fully participate in the community and making that possible for more people is the reason all of us get out of bed every day.

Check out ACL and OCR’s website exploring how the ADA came to be and the progress we have made as a country in achieving its promise.

Thirty years ago today, President George H.W. Bush signed into law a historic piece of civil rights legislation: the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This sweeping law prohibits discrimination by local and state governments, provides standards for privately owned businesses and commercial facilities, protects against discrimination in the workplace, and ensures equal access to healthcare, social services, transportation, and telecommunications. By enshrining these protections into law, the ADA affirms the inherent dignity of all Americans--regardless of ability.

With the access guaranteed by the ADA, millions of children with disabilities have grown up with more opportunities and higher expectations, and many more Americans have grown older with more resources and opportunities to live independently, participate in their communities and contribute in countless ways. Our communities, our economy, and our nation are stronger as a result.

In addition, Americans without disabilities have benefited from the impact of the ADA and the disability rights movement more directly. If you’ve ever relied on automatic door openers to get into a building when your hands are full, or have smoothly wheeled your toddler’s stroller up a ramp rather than struggling to get it up steps, you can thank disability advocates.

With a national expectation of accessibility and full participation clearly established by the ADA, the experiences of people with disabilities have reshaped our country, spurring more inclusive design and impressive technological advances. And that helps all of us. Just ask anyone who turns on captions to watch a TV show in a noisy room,  or who has had a conversation with Siri, Alexa, or Cortana lately.

At ACL, we are thrilled to join the nation in celebrating this important milestone. We've partnered with HHS' Office for Civil Rights on a new website that tells the story of how the ADA came to be, showcases some of the progress we have made as a country toward achieving its promise, and illustrates a little bit of the work being done by ACL and OCR, as well as other partners within HHS and across government. And on Thursday, we'll be joined by leaders from across HHS for an event celebrating 30 years of progress and reflecting on the work that lies ahead. We hope you'll join us and watch online.

As we celebrate, we also know that we have a lot of work to do to fully realize the ADA's promise of inclusion, accessibility, and community integration.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected people with disabilities, underscores the importance of the ADA and other disability rights legislation. ACL, OCR, and the disability networks have been working to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities and to ensure the continuation of services despite difficult circumstances. For example:

OCR issued guidance in March protecting people with disabilities from unlawful discrimination and has since worked with states to resolves complaints around issues including ventilator rationing and visitation policies excluding personal care assistants.  ACL has worked with partners across government to ensure the unique needs of people with disabilities are considered in the national response. For example, we have advocated for direct services providers to be classified as healthcare workers for the purposes of allocating personal protective equipment. The network of ACL grantees – including Protection and Advocacy agencies, Centers for Independent Living, state Developmental Disability Councils, and University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities – have worked to deliver prepared meals and food, secure housing, provide transportation, and they have partnered with each other to provide PPE, accessible communications, and advocacy. They are working with people with disabilities to support them in living safely in their communities while practicing social distancing, and also to return to their homes following hospitalizations. The ADA and other disability rights legislation makes all of that possible. 

Thirty years ago, as he signed the ADA, President Bush said we must "remove the physical barriers we have created and the social barriers that we have accepted."

We still have plenty of barriers we must remove, but there can be no doubt that our country is a better place because of the ADA, and the many people with disabilities whose tireless advocacy made it possible.

Related Links:

ACL's Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary webpage: https://acl.gov/ada

ADA 30th Anniversary Toolkit -- The toolkit below contains social media posts, hashtags, and graphics that can be used in your celebrations of the anniversary.  Feel free to customize them, or to use them exactly as they are. 

Our Declaration of Independence says,

We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

From providing services that make it possible for people to live in their own homes, to ensuring that all people have equal access to health care, the work we do together upholds those unalienable rights -- and defends independence -- for people with disabilities and for older adults.

It seems very fitting to celebrate our work as we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day!

I am so proud of the dedication, innovation and tireless advocacy we have seen every day from both the aging and disability networks across the country, and from our team here at ACL. Over the last several months, we have worked hard together -- both to slow the spread of the disease to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities continue to have the support they need to live safely in the community as we get through this challenging time.

As we head into holiday celebrations that often include gatherings with family and friends, it is more important than ever for us to take individual actions to protect ourselves, the people around us, and the people at greatest risk.

As the U.S. Surgeon General said in his Independence Day message, “If we want to get back to school, back to work, back to worship, and back to overall health, there are things our country needs to do.”

These include:

• Following state and local guidelines
• Taking extra precautions if we are at higher risk ourselves – or if we live with, or regularly are in contact with people who are
• Wash our hands frequently
• Maintain physical distance of at least six feet
• Wear a face covering when you can’t maintain physical distance

 I’m committing to taking personal responsibility, because #COVIDStopsWithMe. Will you join me?

Twenty one years ago today, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v L.C. that people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily segregated into institutions (like nursing homes and other facilities) and must receive services in the most integrated setting possible. Olmstead has transformed the way our nation thinks about, and funds, services for people with disabilities of all ages.

This ruling and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability rights legislation mark critical disability rights milestones. Together, they continue to create new opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults to participate fully in their communities.

The principles of nondiscrimination and community inclusion and integration are even more critical as we face a global COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences.

Many people with disabilities face greater risk of serious illness from the virus. At the same time, the pandemic has strained many of the home and community-based systems and supports that people with disabilities and older adults rely on to live safely and independently in the community.

Since the pandemic began, we have been working with partners including HHS’ Office for Civil Rights and FEMA to address critical issues such as illegal discrimination in rationing of care and providing the flexibility providers and our networks need to serve older adults and people with disabilities.

Across the country, our networks also have risen to the challenge of this emergency. From developing creative new service delivery models, to supporting transitions back into the community after hospital visits, to ensuring that state and local policies are consistent with Olmstead and the ADA, they are working tirelessly to support the rights and independence of the people they serve.

As we pause to celebrate 21 years of progress, and look forward to celebrating 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we know that too many people with disabilities and older adults who want to live and fully participate in the community do not have that option. The COVID-19 pandemic only increases the urgency of – and ACL’s commitment to – working to make Olmstead’s promise a reality.

On Wednesday, I had the honor of chairing the first-ever virtual meeting of the Elder Justice Coordinating Council.

The EJCC brings together leaders from across the federal government to address issues of elder justice nationally. Council members include the leaders of federal departments, agencies, and entities administering programs related to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. We were excited to welcome the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, marking the 15th member of the EJCC.

I'll be honest, we thought fleetingly about postponing this meeting until we could meet in person. But we knew right away that the COVID-19 pandemic makes the work of the EJCC even more urgent.

This point was underscored by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, who noted in his introduction to our meeting that the pandemic and social isolation increase the risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation faced by older adults.

Sec. Azar made clear that "concern for older Americans has to be at the center of our COVID-19 response.” (Watch Secretary Azar's recorded opening remarks.)

Over the last three months, we have seen the emergence of an alarming number of new scams and fraud schemes taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic. Today's EJCC meeting sought to shine a light on financial exploitation during this pandemic and the work being done to fight these pernicious practices around the country.

Gary Mottola, Research Director of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation, and Emma Fletcher, Program Analyst, Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, presented findings from a study of people who have been targeted by scams and fraud. The study highlighted the importance of public awareness, finding that people who knew more about the methods of scammers, and especially those who had heard about a specific scam, were less likely to lose money when targeted. The study reinforced existing research, which has shown that financial insecurity and social isolation both increase a person’s risk. It also found that people were more likely to lose money if they tended to blame victims for fraud. This information can help us develop more effective approaches to educating people about risks and how to protect themselves.

While this research was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, I found the lessons particularly relevant now, as physical distancing measures are increasing social isolation for many older adults.

In a panel discussion, federal agencies shared coronavirus-related scams they are tackling:

• Jeffrey Buckner, Associate Commissioner at the Social Security Administration’s Office of Communication, discussed scams perpetrated by fraudsters claiming to be the government. Some of these scammers falsely assert that Social Security payments could be "suspended" because of the pandemic. He also discussed efforts to stop "spoofing," which makes fraudulent calls appear to be coming from legitimate numbers.
• Ronald Burke, Executive Director of Pension and Fiduciary Services at the VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration, shared information about a scam targeting Medal of Honor recipients and efforts to protect beneficiaries, including by improving the screening of fiduciaries.

Our next presenters represented some of the governmental enforcement agencies that are members of the EJCC.

• Lois Greisman, Associate Director of the Division of Marketing Practices and Elder Justice Coordinator at the Federal Trade Commission discussed the data from the FTC SENTINEL database, including a variety of new COVID-related scams they are working to stop including “miracle cures,” fake testing kits, multi-level marketing schemes, robocalls, identity theft, and fake or stolen government relief checks. The FTC encourages the public to report scams and sign up for alerts.
• Antoinette Bacon, Associate Deputy Attorney General and Elder Justice Coordinator at the Department of Justice, discussed the record number of cases being brought by the Department of Justice saying, "fraudsters are working overtime, but so is the DOJ." She also highlighted work by the DOJ to stop robocalls and money mules, and the recently launched National Elder Fraud Hotline, which is staffed by experienced case managers who can help guide individuals through the reporting process at the federal, state, and local levels (1-833-FRAUD11).
• Gary Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector at the United States Postal Inspection Service, provided updates on partnerships to stop fraud, including schemes involving the hoarding of medical supplies and attempts to steal unemployment or relief payments.
• Michael Herndon, Acting Assistant Director of the Office of Older Americans at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, walked through the hallmarks of a typical government imposter scam, including the tactic of giving the names of real government officials and highlighted a lawsuit CFPB brought to stop two companies who were falsely representing themselves as government agencies and misrepresenting debt services. He also shared CFBP coronavirus resources and announced a new Elder Fraud Prevention and Response Networks Development Guide released today.

A reoccurring theme throughout these presentations was the importance of partnerships between federal agencies. For example, Associate Deputy Attorney General Bacon spoke about the importance of FTC complaint data in DOJ’s enforcement work.

“The more of you out there who file complaints - and importantly, the more states out there who contribute their data to FTC’s Consumer Sentinel - the more clues DOJ has in order to better detect and dismantle these transnational criminal organizations that are running these large-scale fraud schemes,” she said.

Something else that came up in many of the conversations was the importance of engaging the entire community in efforts to stop financial exploitation, and the key role of people who are not often thought of as being officially connected to elder justice work. For example, one group of unsung heroes who came up repeatedly was cashiers. Many scammers will try to get older adults to purchase gift cards, putting alert cashiers in a unique position to help customers spot scams.

Another important bulwark against financial exploitation can be frontline staff at financial institutions. Jilenne Gunther, National Director of AARP BankSafe Initiative, spoke about AARP’s BankSafe training program for financial institutions. She explained the free hour-long online training program that has demonstrably helped bank tellers and other front line staff of financial institutions identify potential financial exploitation and take actions to stop it. An evaluation found that the program increased staff knowledge and confidence in intervening with customers and led to savings for consumers.

Finally, Ronda Kent, Assistant Commissioner for Payment Management at the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, spoke about the Direct Express program. The program offers people who receive federal benefits like Social Security an alternative to direct deposit into a bank account, while preserving FDIC protections. People who choose this option receive their payments on prepaid debit card. An important element of the program is its robust education campaign, which educates cardholders about how to avoid fraud associated with the cards, and understand options for financial transactions.

Reflecting on Wednesday's meeting, I am grateful that we continue to discover new tools and new partners as we work toward elder justice. As Sec. Azar said, “collectively, we can be a tremendous force for good – a force that can be truly effective in addressing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation."