Community Living and Olmstead

Serving People with Disabilities in the Most Integrated Setting: Community Living and Olmstead

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. [More on Olmstead]

Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Olmstead Decision

White House Olmstead Supreme Court Decision 25th Anniversary Observance, June 18, 2024, YouTube video

HHS ACL, OCR, & DOJ Olmstead Supreme Court Decision 25th Anniversary Observance, June 20, 2024, YouTube video

Recent Developments

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 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

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

HHS Finalizes Rule Strengthening Protections Against Disability Discrimination
Final Rule: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance

HHS Finalizes Rule Ensuring Beneficiaries’ Access to Covered Services
Final Rule: Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule (CMS-2442-F)