Forty-three organizations focused on home and community-based services received $12 million from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The funds will be used to improve home and community-based services for the elderly and those with disabilities. The industry is facing a pressing workforce shortage crisis; one in four direct caregiver positions is vacant.

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The United States will keep in place the public health emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing millions of Americans to still receive free tests, vaccines, and treatments. The possibility of a winter surge in COVID cases and the need for more time to transition out of the public health emergency to a private market were two factors that contributed to the decision not to end the emergency status in January.

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Many people with disabilities describe challenges in finding physicians prepared to care for them. Not only do many clinics lack the necessary equipment—such as scales that can accommodate people who use wheelchairs—but at least some physicians actively avoid patients with disabilities.

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In the wake of the disproportionate death toll in congregate settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, this report examines weaknesses in the home and community-based services (HCBS) ecosystem and outlines a roadmap to expand community living options to meet the needs of people with disabilities across the lifespan. The 2014 Medicaid HCBS Settings Rule added specific requirements to ensure integrated settings were truly community-based. Much of the requirements to meet the Settings Rule are reflected in self-directed waiver services. 

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Staying up-to-date on vaccinations is the most important thing we all can do to protect ourselves from serious illness due to COVID-19. It’s particularly crucial for older adults and people with disabilities. As trusted voices in their communities, many aging and disability organizations across the nation are working this season to educate people about the latest vaccines and help older adults and people with disabilities overcome any logistical challenges they face in getting vaccinated.

Acting ACL Administrator Alison Barkoff recently joined an online discussion with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy about the power of partnerships in increasing bivalent vaccination of older adults and people with disabilities. Representatives from two ACL-funded aging and disability service providers — Walter Glomb, executive director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Bev Kidder , vice president of community programs at the Area Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut — also participated in the discussion, sharing powerful stories of how collaboration can help older adults and people with disabilities get vaccinated.

Additional Resources

• The ACL COVID-19 webpage provides resources and information for older adults and people with disabilities, including resources for people with COVID-related disabilities.
• The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities get information on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
• The Eldercare Locator connects older adults and their families to services in the community.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted marginalized communities in many ways, especially those with disabilities and their access to health care. Approximately eight million people in the US have disabilities that make it difficult to carry out everyday activities such as bathing and dressing. Recent studies have shown that around 2.3 million people with disabilities in the US access paid personal assistance services (PAS) to help them with these daily activities. In a recent NIDILRR funded study, researchers sought to understand the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of PAS and its impact on the lives of people with disabilities who were relying on these services.

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Despite strong pushback from disability advocates, a case that could severely restrict the rights of those who rely on Medicaid and other government programs is set to go before the U.S. Supreme Court this week.'' The case hinges on whether individuals receiving services through programs like Medicaid have the right to sue state and local governments if their civil rights are violated.

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