June is the anniversary of the Olmstead decision. This was a big moment for disability rights. But many people don’t know what it was or why it still matters. So we’re sharing the story of Olmstead. We tell how it helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live in the community. We also talk about changes that still need to happen.
What Was the Olmstead Decision?
In the 1990s, two women with disabilities lived in a hospital in Georgia. Their names were Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson. They didn’t need to be there. Their doctors said they could live in the community. But the state would not help them move. So they went to court. They fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court for their right to live in the community.
In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision in their case. The court said that keeping people with disabilities in institutions when they can live in the community is discrimination. This broke the law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court said states must help people with disabilities live in the least restrictive place possible. Our Advocacy and Outreach Lead, James Meadours, shares a bit about what Olmstead means.
Watch the full video about Olmstead on our YouTube channel.
What Changed After Olmstead?
The Olmstead decision gave people with disabilities more power to ask for community living. Since then, more people with IDD have been able to move out of institutions. They now live in homes, apartments, or supported housing. They can work, go to school, and be part of their communities.
But change has been slow. Some states still don’t provide enough support. Many people with IDD are stuck on waitlists for services. Others live in group homes that don’t give them much choice. The Olmstead decision was a promise—but we are still working to keep that promise.
Why It Still Matters
Everyone deserves to choose where and how they live. The Olmstead decision helped make that clear. But we still need to push for real inclusion. That means more support and respect for people’s choices.
Today, some leaders want to cut supports for community living. They are trying to get rid of many federal programs. This includes Medicaid. People with IDD depend on these programs to live and work in the community. Getting rid of them is bad for people with IDD and bad for the country. Many groups are working hard to protect these supports.
Want to Learn More?
- Watch our Independent Living playlist on YouTube.
- Build your self-advocacy skills with our free courses.
- Support the efforts of organizations like the Arc of the US and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. They are working hard to protect important supports for people with IDD.
People with IDD belong in the community. The Olmstead decision helped open the door. Now we must keep walking through it together.