Presented by ASA’s Public Policy Committee 

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Join ASA leaders for a conversation about ageism in America, and what can be done to eradicate it. Eight of the nation’s leading aging-focused organizations have formed a partnership to create a better public understanding of older adults' needs and contributions to society—thus improving the lives of all people as they age. This coalition brings together the American Society on Aging, AARP, the American Federation for Aging Research, the American Geriatrics Society, The Gerontological Society of America, Grantmakers In Aging, the National Council on Aging and the National Hispanic Council on Aging. Collectively we represent and have direct access to millions of older adults and thousands of individuals working in aging-related professions.

Working collaboratively with the FrameWorks Institute as our research partner, our eight organizations are addressing public perceptions of older adults: who they are, what issues affect them, how they contribute to our society, and how society can best integrate their needs and contributions. This webinar will focus on results from our 2015 research, “Gauging Aging: Mapping the Gaps Between Expert and Public Understandings of Aging in America.” The report lays the groundwork for a larger effort to develop a new, evidence-based narrative around the process of aging in our country and the needs and contributions of older adults. By comparing experts’ views to those of average Americans, the report detailed a set of communications challenges to efforts to elevate public support for policies and programs that promote the well-being of older adults. Public policies related to redressing ageism also will be discussed.

Participants in this web seminar will be able to:

• Identify public perceptions of older adults, including who they are, what issues affect them and how they contribute to our society;
• Discuss communications challenges to efforts to elevate public support for policies and programs for older adults’ well-being;
• Describe issues of importance related to older adults in the 2016 elections; and,  
• List ways in which ageism can be addressed by public policy improvements.

Presenters:

	Bob Blancato is the president of Matz, Blancato and Associates and the ASA Board Chair. He is executive director of National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) and the National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition.
	Meredith Ponder is the senior associate of Matz, Blancato & Associates and the federal policy and advocacy manager for NANASP and the federal policy and media coordinator for the Elder Justice Coalition.
	John Feather is the CEO of Grantmakers in Aging, the national association of philanthropic organizations that focus on aging.