Toolkit

On March 26, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced the release of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Toolkit. The purpose of the toolkit is to tell NIDILRR's story, including NIDILRR’s history, role, framework, work, publications, and resources. Although the information is available through the NIDILRR webpage, grantee websites, and several publications, this toolkit provides the information in one place. The toolkit is intended to be used as an educational resource for stakeholders who may benefit from learning about NIDILRR and its resources and as a communication tool for stakeholders who want to inform others about NIDILRR’s work and resources.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a comprehensive guide titled "Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis," which provides essential information for individuals and families navigating life after a dementia diagnosis. Covering health care planning, financial considerations, long-term care planning, and end-of-life planning, this resource underscores the importance of early preparation. It also offers detailed guidance on advance directives, financial planning tools, strategies for long-term care, and tips and checklists that can help individuals get started on what to do after an Alzheimer’s or related dementia diagnosis.

Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. ACL will explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues.

A new set of resources from the ODEP-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) explores disability in the context of broader diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. These resources discuss the critical role accommodations play in fostering a disability-inclusive workplace culture and centralize information available to help employers create a more equitable and accessible work environment. They also provide real-life examples of accommodations that were made by JAN customers...

On November 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a No Surprises Act (NSA) toolkit to help assisters and advocates who work with consumers faced with surprise medical bills. The toolkit is divided into the following sections:Introductory language about the NSA and how to use the toolkit; Documents that describe the key protections, how the protections apply to various consumers, and the status of implementation; Decision trees to help assess consumers’ situations regarding the various provisions; Documents to help consumers interact with the No Surprises Help Desk and file a complaint;...

During Guardianship Awareness Month in October, the National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) is offering a range of resources for advocates. These resources include recordings of NCLER's ACL-LSC training series, which cover topics like representing clients with differing decisional capabilities and defending against or terminating guardianship. Additionally, advocates can access a Guardianship Awareness Resource Guide, developed in partnership with the National Center on Elder Abuse, featuring trainings, podcasts, and publications related to guardianship and its alternatives. These resources aim to empower advocates in their efforts to reduce barriers, promote autonomy, and protect the civil rights of older adults.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a commemorative resource guide about the recruitment, hiring, and employment of individuals with disabilities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The EEOC and DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) issued this guide to explain the key roles these agencies have in Rehabilitation Act enforcement, outreach, and education. This resource guide also includes recruitment and hiring “Best Practices”, retention and advancement “Best Practices”, as well as other key resources for guidance and technical assistance.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a set of resources addressing the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living with, and receiving care from, aging parents or guardians. The resources cover a range of topics, including interagency partnerships, engagement and navigation support, person- and family-centered support systems, and future planning, all designed to aid state Medicaid and partner agencies in better serving this population. The resource set also describes state policies and practices for understanding current and future service system needs for serving adults with I/DD and aging caregivers, as well as policies for states to implement person-centered planning...

Join the Partnership to Align Social Care, the Aging and Disability Business Institute, and Camden Coalition for a webinar series offering a deep dive into leading contracting practices to effectively and efficiently address health-related social needs (HRSNs). Each webinar in the series will focus on the essential elements of contracting between health care and community partners and feature leading practices from the field. Each event will also highlight key findings from a four-part toolkit, Healthcare Guide to Contracting with CBOs, developed with extensive input from CBOs, health plans, and health systems....

The Administration for Community Living (ACL), in collaboration with the disability and aging networks it funds, is committed to protecting the voting rights of older adults and people with disabilities. Through ACL's programs, a variety of resources are available, including information, education, supportive services, and legal assistance, all aimed at improving voting process accessibility in partnership with states and communities. ACL has released a dedicated webpage to serve as a resource "hub" to make it easier for people with disabilities and older adults to find the voting resources they need.