How ACL’s Disability and 

Aging Network is Advancing 

Vaccination Efforts

The Urgent Need to Vaccinate Older 

Adults and People with Disabilities

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people with 

disabilities and older adults. Older adults are at highest 

risk for severe illness and death because of COVID-19, 

followed by people with intellectual and developmental 

disabilities. All people who receive long-term services 

and supports (LTSS) in the community, regardless of 

age or type of disability, face a higher risk of COVID-19 

infection. Those risks are even greater for older adults

and people of color with disabilities.

Due to this high risk, the CDC recommends states 

prioritize older adults and people with underlying health 

conditions to get vaccinated. The Administration for 

Community Living (ACL) network can collaborate to 

support this need. ACL programs are highly engaged 

with states and other partners, working to ensure 

vaccine access for all eligible people with disabilities 

and older adults. ACL grant programs provide and 

improve access to services and support the functional 

needs of individuals with disabilities and older adults so 

they can remain in their homes and communities. 

This document is a summary of ACL’s programs with 

examples of activities and partnerships that can support 

vaccine access. ACL has also published an in-depth

overview of strategies that support vaccine access.

Nine Major Components of ACL’s 

Disability and Aging Network

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)

» Serve older adults (age 60+) and family caregivers.

A majority of AAAs also serve people with

disabilities through other funding sources.

» There are 622 AAAs across the nation, which are

public or nonprofit organizations designated by State

Units on Aging to address the service and support

needs of older adults at regional and local levels.

The specific names of AAAs vary. To find a local

AAA, go to Eldercare.acl.gov or call-800-677-1116.

» AAAs contract with 20,000+ local providers nationwide

to provide services and programs that may include

congregate and home-delivered meals, information

and assistance, evidence-based chronic disease

prevention programs, caregiver respite, case

management, transportation, homemaker support, and

personal care.

» Vaccine-related activities include identifying and

reaching out to underserved older adults, including

people who are homebound, live in rural areas, or

have limited English proficiency; assisting LTSS

clients and their caregivers to register for vaccines;

facilitating transportation to and from vaccine

appointments; providing second-dose reminder calls;

and organizing and implementing targeted vaccination

clinics.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

» Serve individuals with significant disabilities of all

types.

» There are 354 CILs in communities in every U.S. state

and territory. CILs offer the following core services (at

a minimum): information and referral, independent

living skills training, peer counseling, individual and

systems advocacy, transition and diversion from

nursing homes and other institutional settings back

into the community, and transition of youth to

postsecondary life. Find a local CIL.

» Vaccine-related activities include coordination of

accessible transportation services; assessing needs

and status of clients; coordinating services;

addressing inaccessible vaccine sites; locating and/or

providing mobility equipment, personal care attendant

services, or ASL interpreters; educating communities

about reasonable accommodations; and collaboration

to combine vaccine delivery with existing homedelivered food services.

Last Updated: 4/2021

The Administration for Community Living is an operating division of U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services. Visit ACL.gov.
How ACL’s Disability and Aging Network is Advancing Vaccination Efforts

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

» Advocates for people living in nursing homes,

board-and-care homes, assisted living facilities,

and similar facilities to resolve their individual

problems and to bring about changes that improve

their care, quality of life, and rights.

» Vaccine-related activities may include visiting 

and serving as a resource to provide information 

and assistance on how to obtain the vaccine for

residents and staff that have been unable to get

vaccinated.

Native American Grantees

» Serve native elders (age determined by each

tribe).

» There are 282 Native American Grantees serving

over 400 tribes.

» Native American grantees provide supportive

services, nutrition services, and caregiver support

to native elders and their families.

» Vaccine-related activities include reaching out to

and educating individuals who have not been

vaccinated, partnering to organize transportation

to vaccination clinics, and offering case

management.

Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&A)

» Serve individuals with all types of disabilities.

» There are 57 P&As. P&As are in every state and

territory. There is also one P&A that serves the

Navajo and Hopi Nations in New Mexico, Arizona,

and Utah.

» P&As are a nationwide network of congressionally

mandated agencies that provide a range of

legal advocacy services to protect the rights of

individuals with disabilities (e.g., those denied

access to a service or an opportunity to take

part in an activity). P&As address allegations of

neglect or abuse and conduct monitoring and

investigations of facilities. Find a local P&A.

» Vaccine-related activities include contacting 

people with disabilities to assess status and needs,

ensuring vaccination sites are accessible, providing 

case management, ensuring access to services,

and providing legal expertise to state and federal 

agencies.

State Councils on Developmental Disabilities 

(DD Councils)

» Governor-appointed councils of individuals with

developmental disabilities, their families, and other

key groups.

» There are 56 DD Councils. DD Councils are in every

state and territory. They identify gaps in services and

implement strategies to address needed system-level 

changes. Find a local DD Council.

» Vaccine-related activities include creating plainlanguage materials; hosting Q&As about vaccines

with local and state agencies, developing vaccine site 

accessibility checklists, reaching out to and

educating individuals with disabilities, and providing

information and referral services.

State Grants for Assistive Technology (AT) 

Programs

» Serve individuals with disabilities of all ages and

their families.

» AT programs in every state and territory help make

AT devices/equipment and services available. Their

efforts range from “low tech” (e.g., built-up handle on

spoon to improve ability to grasp) to “high tech (e.g.,

computers controlled with eye movement). Other

examples of supports are home automation solutions

and services to obtain and use devices. AT support

can also include assessment, customization, repair,

and training. Find a local AT program.

» This national network quickly distributes AT to people 

in need.

» Vaccine-related activities include assisting with

accessibility of vaccination sites, registration

processes, websites, and outreach materials;

supporting vaccination hotlines for people with

disabilities; and providing subject matter expertise

and technical assistance related to accessibility and

AT.

State Units on Aging (SUAs)

» Serve older adults (age 60+) and family caregivers.

» Governor-designated state government agencies that

advocate for and assist older adults, their families, and,

in many states, adults with physical disabilities.

Located in each state and territory. To find an SUA, visit

Eldercare.gov or call 800-677-1116.

ACL.gov
» Provide funding to AAAs to provide home- and 

community-based services and programs including 

meal programs, case management, transportation, 

home care, and caregiver respite.

» Vaccine-related activities include collaborating 

with state emergency response agencies to 

identify high-risk communities and support 

targeted vaccination efforts; working with 

paratransit agencies, nursing groups, and other 

partners to identify individuals who might benefit 

from mobile vaccination clinics; coordinating with 

state emergency management agencies; 

providing situational awareness to ACL; 

identifying gaps and coordinating information; and 

coordinating with AAAs to restore and limit 

service disruptions.

University Centers for Excellence in 

Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs)

» Serve individuals with developmental disabilities 

and their families.

» There are 68 UCEDDs nationwide that conduct 

interdisciplinary training, community services, 

research, and knowledge translation in a range of 

areas, including emergency management. Find a

local UCEDD.

» Vaccine-related activities include scheduling 

vaccine appointments for individuals with 

intellectual and developmental disabilities; working 

with state Medicaid agencies to support Medicaidfunded transportation to vaccine appointments at 

non-medical locations, hosting town halls on 

vaccines for people with disabilities, developing 

drive-thru vaccination sites, hosting targeted 

vaccine clinics, and providing vaccinations to group 

home residents through mobile clinics.

Regional Administrators

Regional Administrators are the primary contacts within ACL to help in contacting and coordinating with the 

aging and disability organizations that receive ACL grants. More details on ACL’s Regional Offices.

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Region 9 also includes: American Samoa, 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 

Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall 

Islands, and Republic of Palau

How ACL’s Disability and Aging Network is Advancing Vaccination Efforts ACL.gov