Press Release: Celebrating 25th Anniversary of Olmstead decision banning segregation of people with disabilities
Press Contact:
Sarah Ruf, Director of Communications
Phone: (480) 578-9668
Email: [email protected]
Disability advocates are celebrating the 25th anniversary of a landmark legal decision, allowing Americans to choose where they wanted to live and maintain their independent choice, even those with severe disabilities.
The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s Executive Director Jon Meyers traveled to Washington D.C. this week to mark the celebration of the decision—often simply known in the disability community as Olmstead—at The White House, joining other disability advocates from around the nation.
On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court found in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Court declared that public entities must provide community-based services to people with disabilities when:
- Such services are appropriate
- The affected individuals do not oppose community-based treatment or services.
ADDPC Communications and Research Specialist Jason Snead had these thoughts:
“I was in first grade when the ADA was passed. That year, my school gave me a desktop computer with a touchscreen so that I could write my assignments and participate in class, as independently as possible. I didn’t realize how lucky I was.
I was in high school when Olmstead was decided. The impact of that decision was not apparent to me until after college and I was looking for employment. A couple of individuals suggested to me that a segregated workshop might be a good idea.
I’m glad that I did not take that advice. I’m grateful individuals like Lois Clark and Elaine Wilson paved the way for me – I owe it to them to carry the torch the best I can. There’s still a lot of work to do, and I want to inspire individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves, the way my predecessors inspired me.”
ADDPC strives to create a world that is more inclusive in housing, in medical care, in education and all daily aspects of life while helping individuals with disabilities achieve their full potential.
Join us as we move forward with these goals.
Photo Caption: The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s Executive Director Jon Meyers (far left) traveled to Washington D.C. on June 18, 2024 to mark the celebration of the decision—often simply known in the disability community as Olmstead—at The White House, joining other disability advocates from around the nation.
