2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Olmstead vs L.C. Supreme Court decision, which ruled that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Olmstead decision required states to ensure that people with disabilities can receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, opening the doors to community inclusion and integration for even more people with disabilities. This ruling underpins the purpose of the Administration for Community Living to support and expand opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults to live and thrive in their communities.
The ruling affirmed the value of the lives and contributions of people with disabilities, recognized the importance of participation in the community for everyone, and heralded a sea change in the way our country approaches providing supports to people with disabilities.
Watch: Bringing Olmstead to Life - Celebrating the 25th Anniversary 
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, ACL joined our partners from the Department of Justice and the HHS Office for Civil Rights to host an event to commemorate the anniversary with a series of conversations about “bringing Olmstead to life.” We heard from federal leaders about the work being done, and from Neera Tanden, domestic policy advisor to the President, about the Administration’s commitment to improving opportunities for people with disabilities. Most important, we heard from people with disabilities and their families about what Olmstead has meant for them and what work we still have ahead. Watch the video.
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In her 6/22 blog post, Alison Barkoff said, "We have an unprecedented opportunity and the momentum to build the infrastructure needed to ensure that people with disabilities can truly be included in all aspects of community life. We know what it takes to support people well in their communities, and we are finally seeing meaningful efforts to make services more available. We have powerful new regulations to shape service systems and prevent discrimination. And we have strong partnerships among federal agencies, states, local governments, disability advocates, and disabled people nationwide. I know that we can – and will – continue our work to bring OImstead to life, and that we will not stop until “all” truly means “all.” Read the full post on ACL's blog.