February 15, ADA Audio Conference-How the ADA Impacts Seniors
Slide 1: ADA Audio Conference Series February 15, 2011. 
“How the ADA Impacts Seniors” 
Robbyn Wacker, PhD. Assistant Vice President for Research Dean, Graduate School Professor of Gerontology, University of Northern Colorado 
Slide 2: Overview of Presentation 
On the Threshold of a new era – the demographics of our aging population
Brief overview of the Aging Network
The intersection between aging, disability and the ADA
Employment and Accommodation issues
Community – promoting livable communities
Opportunities for the future 
Slide 3: Aging Demographics Percent of total population 2000 34, 991, 753-12% 2010 40,243, 713-13% 2030 71, 453, 471- 20% 
Slide 4: Aging Demographics Growth rate of America’s aging population 2001-2010 growth rate of US population 7.8 % growth rate of over 65 years old 13.1% 2010-2020 growth rate of US population 8.3% growth rate of over 65 year olds 35.3% 2020-2030 growth rate of US population 8.1% growth rate of 65 year olds 30.1% Source US Census 
Slide 5: Aging Demographics Percentage of adults 65+ with disabilities 
Disabilities		Severe Disabilities
2000	21.2%		9.1%
2010	19.7%		8.4%
2020	18.7%		6.9%
2030	19.1%		7.4%
2040	19.6%	8	.5%
Slide 6: Aging Demographics 
Severe Disability 2000 2.0% Moderate Disabilities 4.9% 
2010 Severe Disability 1.9% Moderate Disability 4.5% 
2020 Severe Disability 2.0% Moderate Disability 5.4% 
2030 Severe Disability 2.7% Moderate Disability 6.9% 
2040 Severe Disability 3.2% Moderate Disabilities 7.4% 
Slide 7: Aging and Functional Capacity Chart showing functional capacity from early life through adult life to older life.  Function is very high at early life during growth and development, shows functioning maintaining with slight decline in adult life shows range of function in individuals maintaining independence and preventing disability in older age 
Slide 8: Older Americans Act 
Creation of the Aging Network
Purpose and Programs 
Slide 9: Older Americans Act Title II Aging Network Support Administration on Aging- Establishes the Administration on Aging, the Aging Network. 
Title III Community Programs- Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging- Authorizes community supportive services in five different areas.  
Title V Employment- Community Service Employment for Older Americans. 
Title VI Native Americans- Grants for Native Americans. 
Title VII Vulnerable Elders- Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities. 
Slide 10: Intersection of aging and disability 
Emerging intersections – ADA and older Adults
Employment and older adults
Increase in number of older adults working in later life
Workplace issues
Public Accommodations
Slide 11: Intersection of aging and disability 
Emerging intersections - Livable communities approach. 
Oval Figure showing Central themes to the “Lifetime neighborhoods” concept. Social cohesion and sense of place. Built environment, social inclusion, services and amenities, Innovation and cross-sectoral planning, housing.  
Slide 12: Intersection of aging and disability 
It is important to note that livable communities/neighborhoods should be viewed as sustainable communities that offer a good quality of life to all generations and abilities.    
They should aim to be:
• Accessible and inclusive
• Aesthetically pleasing and safe (in terms of both traffic and crime), and easy and pleasant to access; and
• A community that offers plenty of services, facilities and open space.
Slide 13: Intersection of aging and disability 
Future Directions	
Partnering with the aging network
Working with business and non-profit sector
Working with older adults – understanding the social and psychological needs
Slide 14: Independence alone is not enough if we want to improve the quality of life of older people and tackle exclusion. Everyone, including older people has the right to participate and continue throughout their lives having meaningful relationships and roles.  Older people’s vital role and responsibility to help build social capital will become ever more apparent as our society ages.  A Sure Start to later life –Communities and Local Government (2006)  
Slide 15: Recommended Readings 
Overview of Aging
Wacker & Roberto “Community Resources for Older Adults: Programs and Services in an Era of Change”
Quadagno “Aging & the Life Course”
Aging & Legal Issues
ABA Commission on Law and Aging (www.abanet.org)
National Senior Citizen Law Center (www.nsclc.org)