Belonging and Inclusion at ASA’s On Aging 2026 Conference

From April 20 to 23, 2026, Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) staff joined thousands of professionals in Atlanta for the American Society on Aging’s (ASA)  annual On Aging conference. Centered on the theme “The Power of Belonging,” the event explored how fostering belonging can help older adults feel supported and included.

The conference brought together leaders, practitioners, and advocates to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and address emerging challenges in aging services. Sessions covered topics ranging from policy and caregiving to arts and community engagement.

A standout session, “Centering Lived Experience: A Model for Inclusive Aging & Disability Policy,” highlighted California’s efforts to ensure that lived experience informs policy decisions. Speakers Sarah Steenhausen and Jax Kelly described how the state’s advisory board was created to elevate the voices of older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and others impacted by inequities.

Kelly shared a story from a statewide convening where an older adult expressed a desire for both a guide to services and meaningful human connection. That insight underscored the need for systems that are both informative and relational.

Speakers emphasized that access is not just about whether services exist, but whether people can reach, understand, and use them. Barriers such as language, transportation, and culture can make navigation difficult.

They also noted that lived experience must lead to action. “People want to have impact,” Steenhausen said, emphasizing the importance of feedback loops that show how input shapes policy.

The session reinforced that meaningful progress begins with listening and ensuring that systems reflect the needs of those they serve.

Next year’s On Aging conference will take place in San Diego.