Community Living and Olmstead

Serving People with Disabilities in the Most Integrated Setting

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1999 landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C. (Olmstead) found the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) plays a pivotal role in supporting the Olmstead decision and promoting community living through enforcement of Federal disability civil rights laws.

Learn more about Olmstead

Celebrating the 26th Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision

HHS and the Office for Civil Rights marked the 26th Anniversary of the Olmstead Supreme Court decision on June 22, 2025. This decision requires that services are provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of a person with a disability.

Read the press release

United States Department of Health and Human Services banner image

OCR's Olmstead commemorates the 26th Olmstead Anniversary and the Importance of the Olmstead Decision to Make America Healthy Again

Featured: Olmstead Success Story

Watch the video to learn how OCR’s enforcement of Olmstead helps people like Alexis Ratcliff. Alexis now resides in her own apartment within a family home while living an independent life and being a contributing member of her community.

Recent Developments

HHS Office for Civil Rights works with Illinois and a young woman who has cerebral palsy and behavioral health support needs to transition her back to a community-based setting from a State Institution where she was confined for more than four years. Illinois also agreed to develop a plan to enhance the State’s process to facilitate community placements for similarly situated individuals in its State Operated Developmental Centers who want to return to their communities with services appropriate to their needs. – October 20, 2025

Memorialization of Corrective Actions

HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, Idaho Reach Agreement to Transition Teen from State Facility to Community

September 23, 2025 Press Release
Memorialization of Corrective Actions

HHS Office for Civil Rights Works with Alabama to Help Young Adult with Autism Move from a State Institution to a Home in the Community

April 4, 2025 Press Release
Memorialization of Corrective Actions

HHS Office for Civil Rights works with South Carolina and an individual with a traumatic brain injury to help him move from a restrictive group home to an apartment with more opportunities for community integration - April 4, 2025

Memorialization of Corrective Actions

HHS Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island Reach Agreement with the State of Rhode Island to Resolve Violations of Federal Disability Laws for Children with Disabilities in State Care

December 19, 2024 Press Release
Read the Consent Decree

HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles with Delaware to Enforce Federal Disability Rights Laws

December 18, 2024 Press Release
Memorialization of Corrective Actions

HHS Ensures States Provide Home and Community Based Services When Individuals with Disabilities are Unnecessarily Confined in State Institutions

November 18, 2024 Press Release
Read the Corrective Agreement

HHS Ensures Individuals with Disabilities Are Able to Live in Their Homes and Communities

June 18, 2024 Press Release
Corrective Action Agreement
Interview with Garrett Frey (June 20, 2024)

HHS and Justice Issues a Violation Letter of Findings to State of R.I. Over Improper Over-Hospitalizations of Children with Disabilities - May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024 Press Release
Read the Letter of Findings