People with disabilities have the right to live and receive services in their homes and communities rather than being unnecessarily segregated in institutions. More than 27 years ago, the Supreme Court affirmed this right in Olmstead v. L.C., holding that the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This fundamental right, known as the integration mandate, states that services for people with disabilities should be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.
Today, the integration mandate is facing new challenges, putting the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their communities at risk. House Resolution 1586 is a bipartisan resolution that reaffirms Congress’s intent under federal disability law to protect community integration. The resolution recognizes that unnecessary segregation limits opportunities for people with disabilities to live independently, work, pursue education, develop skills, and participate fully in their communities. H.Res. 1586 reaffirms that people with disabilities belong in their communities and should have access to the services and supports that make community living possible.