Honoring 27 Years of Olmstead v. L.C.
This year, we celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Supreme court decision in Olmstead v L.C. This decision affirmed the right for people with disabilities to receive state funded supports and services within their community rather than institutions. Senate Resolution 790 recognizes this landmark decision and the importance of protecting those rights today. Share your support for this resolution by contacting your US Senators or Members of Congress!
Olmstead at a Glance
Decision Date
June 22, 1999
Supreme Court Ruling
6–3 decision authored by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Key Plaintiffs
Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, two women with mental disabilities who remained in a Georgia state hospital even after doctors determined they were ready for community-based care.
Court Decision
The Olmstead decision established that states must provide community-based services instead of institutional care when:
Treatment professionals determine community placement is appropriate.
The individual does not oppose the move.
The placement can be reasonably accommodated given the state’s resources.
About Olmstead v. L.C.
A Landmark Civil Rights Decision
In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that unnecessarily institutionalizing people with disabilities is a form of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The decision affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to live, work, and participate in their communities.
Twenty-seven years later, these protections continue to shape disability rights across the country. Senate Resolution 790 recognizes this important milestone and reaffirms the ongoing importance of community inclusion and equal opportunity.
Current Issue
Why is this resolution important now?
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memorandum that challenges long-standing interpretations of disability civil rights protections established under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court decision. The memo argues that states are not required to provide home and community-based services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutional care. This position reverses decades of progress toward community inclusion.
Disability Network Michigan, as a member of Michigan’s Olmstead Coalition, believes people with disabilities and older adults should have the opportunity to live, work, and receive services in their communities whenever possible. Community-based services promote independence, dignity, and inclusion while allowing individuals to remain connected to their families and communities.
Supporting U.S. Senate Resolution 790 recognizes the lasting impact of Olmstead v. L.C. and reaffirms the importance of protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.
Learn more about the current issue by reading the Michigan Olmstead Coalition’s full statement.
Take Action
Tell Congress You Support Senate Resolution 790
Your voice matters!
Contact your Senators and U.S. Representatives and encourage them to support Senate Resolution 790, recognizing the lasting impact of Olmstead v. L.C. and the rights of people with disabilities to live and thrive in their communities.