This week marks the 20th anniversary of a very important legal decision regarding the rights of people with disabilities. On June 22, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in “Olmstead v. L.C.” that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities.
In the words of the Court, services to persons with disabilities must be provided “in the most integrated setting possible.” The Court ruled that there should be community options for Curtis and Wilson.
Community integration of people with disabilities based on this landmark decision has come a long way.
But thousands of Americans with disabilities still unlawfully and unnecessarily remain in nursing homes and institutions. Protection and advocacy agencies like Disability Rights Texas in every state and other disability advocacy groups continue to work to ensure people with disabilities are able to exercise their legal right to live and work in the community.