06/22/2026
Tomorrow marks the 27th anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C., one of the most important disability civil rights decisions in our nation's history.
As an American who happens to have significant physical disabilities, I often think about what independence means.
Disability is part of the human experience. It crosses every race, gender, political affiliation, religion, and socioeconomic status. Disability can touch any family at any time. Yet for many people, the freedoms guaranteed by our nation are only meaningful when access exists to exercise them.
As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, I find myself reflecting on the laws and court decisions that have made independence possible for me. The Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Olmstead v. L.C. are not simply policies or legal precedents. They are the reason I can live in my community, work, travel, advocate, build relationships, and contribute to society rather than being defined by my disability.
That is why the Department of Justice's recent memo questioning the integration mandate is so concerning. At its core, this is not just a legal debate. It is a question about whether disabled Americans will continue to have the freedom to live in their own homes, participate in their communities, and direct their own lives.
Twenty-seven years ago, Olmstead affirmed that unnecessary segregation is discrimination. It reinforced the belief that people with disabilities belong in our communities and have the same right to opportunity, dignity, and self-determination as everyone else.
As we celebrate our nation's history, I hope we also remember that freedom is not just something we commemorate. It is something we must continue to protect. For millions of disabled Americans, laws like the ADA, Section 504, and Olmstead remain essential to making the promise of independence a reality.
Read for more information: https://ncil.org/.../condemning-and-rejecting-doj-memo/
