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Today marks the 27th anniversary of the Olmstead v. L.C. decision, issued by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 22^nd, 1999. For decades, the Olmstead Act has served as the foundation for expanding community-based services and protecting the rights of people with disabilities to live and participate in their communities.

It is especially troubling that on this anniversary, the Department of Justice has adopted a new official legal position that calls into question decades of federal interpretation supporting community integration.

At Venture, we are horrified that this is now the official position of the United States.

This new memo, inexplicably released just ahead of the anniversary of a landmark decision affirming the rights of people with disabilities, argues that states may have more discretion in how they provide care and that community-based services are not automatically required in every circumstance. It does not mean people with disabilities suddenly “have no rights” or can simply be institutionalized at will.

However, if federal enforcement weakens, it could make it easier for some states to reduce home-based supports, waiver programs, and community access over time.

The real issue is that this action is yet another step by the current administration that can harm people living with disabilities, with the potential to weaken decades of progress and protections moving forward.

At Venture, we believe people with disabilities should have meaningful choices about where and how they live. Community-based services, when adequately funded and supported, promote independence, dignity, inclusion, and quality of life. We remain committed to protecting opportunities for individuals to live, work, and thrive in the communities of their choosing.

We will continue to monitor the implications of this policy shift and advocate for systems that prioritize person-centered supports, community inclusion, and equitable access to services for all people with disabilities.

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