L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Department Unveils First Strategic Plan for Disability Services

A man in a beret sits in a mobility device at a table next to an older woman speaking into a mic. A man stands at a podium behind the two people at the table.

March 31, 2026
AD Staff Writer
News

L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Department Unveils First Strategic Plan for Disability Services

A new direction is taking shape for disability services in Los Angeles County. The County’s Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) has completed its first-ever Disability Services Strategic Plan, a five-year blueprint designed to make services more accessible, coordinated, and inclusive for residents with disabilities of all ages.

Stakeholder engagement played a central role in shaping the plan, including input from both of AD’s Commissions. The Commission on Disabilities (LACCOD) played an instrumental role in its development, with additional input from the Commission for Older Adults (LACCOA).

AD convened residents with disabilities, caregivers, community-based organizations, service providers, and County departments to identify gaps, share lived experiences, and co-design solutions. Through listening sessions, surveys, and targeted outreach, stakeholders helped define priorities and ensure the plan reflects the real needs of the disability community. Their input not only informed the plan’s goals but also strengthened its commitment to accessibility, equity, and long-term system improvement.

“Improving the overall system is essential to delivering effective disability services,” said AD Director Maral Karaccusian, MSW. “This plan is an important first step. It lays the foundation for deeper coordination across programs and partners. A coordinated system isn’t just helpful; it is essential. When services work together instead of in silos, residents with disabilities can navigate support more easily, access resources more seamlessly, and experience the continuity and dignity that every person deserves.” She noted that the plan will help the County more equitably meet the needs of a community that has historically lacked a coordinated services framework.

At the center of the plan is a commitment to serve as the countywide hub for disability services. Using a No Wrong Door approach, the department aims to strengthen coordination across agencies and ensure residents can access support regardless of where they enter the system.

The roadmap is organized around four action areas: strengthening infrastructure, increasing accessibility and inclusion, expanding advocacy and education, and enhancing services and supports.

Key priorities include advocating for County facilities to go beyond minimum Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, expanding access to inclusive communication, improving continuity of navigation across life transitions, and identifying gaps in housing, transportation, and emergency planning.

“As we take this first step, we are committed to building a system where people with disabilities feel valued, included, and supported, and where we work with the community to drive lasting, meaningful change,” Karaccusian said.

Carlos Benavides, President of the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities, emphasized the broader impact of the plan:

“The Disability Strategic Plan is a declaration of our unwavering commitment to action, establishing our office as a visible leader in advocacy and education across Los Angeles County. We will provide education and training to the services network, covering best practices and available services in critical areas such as housing, transportation, technology, and emergency services, to help ensure that all residents with disabilities have access to holistic and dignified support that improves quality of life.”

LACCOD Commissioner, Deaka McClain, highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort:

“This is a win-win opportunity for everyone involved in the process. I am honored to have been part of this monumental effort to support a new direction for the Aging & Disabilities Department and to make a difference for the disability community we serve, one day at a time.”

Implementation will roll out in phases over five years, beginning with strengthening the department’s internal policies and workforce. The strategic plan is designed as a living document, allowing it to be updated as community needs, funding, and partnerships evolve.

With a roadmap now in place, the Aging & Disabilities Department is positioning itself to build a more accessible and inclusive future for all L.A. County residents.