Webinar and online sessions	10. National Council on Disability (NCD) Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 2:00 p.m. Health Equity Framework for People with Disabilities The National Council on Disability (NCD) invites disability community stakeholders to join a conversation about NCD’s recently released Health Equity Framework, which is a blueprint for policymakers to address systemic barriers and health disparities to achieve health equity for people with disabilities. Speakers: Andrés Gallegos, Chairman, NCD Rick Rader, MD, Council Member, NCD Lisa Iezzoni, MD, Harvard School of Medicine Neil Romano, Council Member, NCD Moderated by: Jim Brett, Vice Chair, NCD Background: In February 2021, NCD Chairman, Andrés Gallegos, published his Vision and Priority Statement declaring his commitment to address the decades of neglect experienced by people with disabilities in healthcare due to systemic and pervasive barriers. In a culmination of meetings, outreach, and consultation with a multi- disciplinary team of advisors (academics, medical professionals, and others who have dedicated their lives to addressing the health disparities of people with disabilities), a year later, NCD released its Health Equity Framework, offering a roadmap for policymakers in Congress and the Administration. NCD began research on health disparities of people with disabilities as far back as 2009, and the body of substantiating evidence has only burgeoned since that time. The pandemic has shone a light on these disparities and the lack of a cohesive federal response to date. As a federal government, NCD believes we are more than amply equipped with the evidentiary base to act, which is what NCD is advising the Administration and Congress to do. Accommodations: CART and ASL interpreters will be provided. If other accommodations are required, please notify Anthony Simpson as soon as possible at asimpson.cntr@ncd.gov. Register for the call.
Previously posted webinars and online sessions	11. Previously posted webinars and online sessions can be viewed at: https://dignityalliancema.org/webinars-and-online-sessions/
Podcast	12. Adult Protective Service Center Technical Assistance Resource Center Improving APS Financial Exploitation Investigations Through Innovative Multi- Disciplinary Partnerships The inaugural podcast, with Jennifer Spoeri, APS TARC Subject Matter Expert, and Angela Medina, APS Director of Policy and Performance Management at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, focuses on how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is improving financial exploitation investigations and client services through multi-disciplinary partnerships and the use of high-level forensic accounting. https://tinyurl.com/APSTARCPodcastFeb2022
Nursing Homes	13. * New Orleans Times-Picayune February 17, 2022 Nursing home owner Bob Dean claims dementia, memory loss amid legal battles Notorious nursing home operator Bob Dean has “significant dementia and cognitive impairment” and should not be forced to sit for depositions in the various lawsuits targeting him, according to letters recently penned by two Georgia

The Dignity Digest Issue # 77 February 18, 2022 www.DignityAllianceMA.org