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Training to Prevent Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Offered by CADER Reaches Over 36,000 Learners
This article was updated on July 1, 2025.
In a long-standing relationship with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence (EOAI, also known as AGE) and the Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER) at BUSSW offers a free online course: “Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.” The course is part of AGE’s commitment to ensure improved access for underrepresented communities among older adults in Massachusetts. Since it was launched four years ago, over 36,000 learners have registered for and completed the course.
“CADER is pleased to continue our longstanding collaboration with AGE in advancing their commitment to equitable, respectful, and compassionate care for all individuals receiving services, inclusive of all races, ethnicities, faiths, gender identities, and expressions of love,” says Research Associate Professor Bronwyn Keefe, director of CADER and The Network for Professional Education.
CADER and AGE also have a statewide Certificate Initiative partnership to provide training in key practice areas for professionals serving older adults and persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth employed at ASAPs or COAs. Through this partnership, CADER has trained over 2,000 people in the past four years across the Commonwealth in key skills, knowledge, and competencies to meet AGE’s mission to promote independence, empowerment, and well-being of older people, individuals with disabilities, and their families.
About the Course
In order to prevent and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, Massachusetts legislation mandated that new curriculum and training be developed and implemented to improve medical access for these underrepresented groups.
This course’s content was created by the LGBT Aging Project at the Fenway Institute and is implemented by CADER. As leaders in engaging with mainstream elder care providers to prevent the mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders, their guidance and support in creating this course was invaluable.
There are four sections to the course:
- Sexual orientation and gender identity
- LGBT history, stigma, and resiliency
- Best practices in providing services
As of 2025, the course now features a fresh format that is easier to access, and is offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole.
Who Is Eligible to Take this Course?
Per Massachusetts state law, all current employees whose employers fit one or more of the following are required to take this course:
- Providers who contract with, receive funding from, or are certified by EOAIAGE
- Aging Service Action Points (ASAPs)
- MassHealth Office of Long-Term Services and Supports (OLTSS)
- New employees from the above organizations must complete this training course within 12 months of hire
This course is mandatory training for case managers, staff members, and volunteers working with Massachusetts EOAI, Aging Services Access Points (ASAP), and MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports (OLTSS).
This course is also open to anyone in Massachusetts who works or volunteers with older adults in the LGBTQIA community in a health setting, including dentists and dental workers, health and human services providers, meals on wheels volunteers, and more.