BOSTON (WWLP) - The Dignity Alliance held its annual legislative champions award ceremony at the State House Tuesday to honor lawmakers who work to ensure the dignity of older and disabled adults. The alliance is an advocacy group focused on long term care, support, and living options that respect choice and self-determination for adults with higher needs. The ceremony also recognized staffers--including western Massachusetts Senator John Velis' Chief of Staff, Gabe Adams-Keane. The Hampden-Hampshire area, and Adams-Keane's office, is dealing with the aftermath of several nursing home closures. "We were dealing with multiple nursing home closures that happened last spring. That was a big issue that Senator Velis partnered with other senators and Dignity Alliance to work on," Adams-Keane told 22News. "I mean, it's special. We get to work with some really incredible organizations and some really special advocates." Brian Rosman recently retired from the State House after serving five and a half years as legislative director for western Massachusetts Senator Jo Comerford. He highlighted the unique challenges that western Massachusetts faces in providing care for seniors and people with disabilities. "Because it's a rural district and services are far apart, we really need extra help for transportation and for support for people with disabilities," said Rosman. Both honorees say their bosses' commitment to the rights of the elderly and disabled empowered them to do this work. Looking ahead to next session, the alliance hopes to equalize nursing home residents rights, increase their personal needs allowance, and more. Local News Headlines Enfield police seek information on hit-and-run incident at Yarde Tavern Local lawmakers hold ‘Yes on 4’ press conference 4th annual ‘Vax Week’ at all Big Y locations Postal workers held “Day of Action” rallies in Springfield WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.