Olmstead Decision

Olmstead v. L.C.

The Olmstead case began with two women who had mental illness and developmental disabilities, and were voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit in a State-run Georgia Regional Hospital. Following the women's medical treatment there, mental health professionals stated that each was ready to move to a community-based program. However, the women remained confined in the institution, each for several years after the initial treatment was concluded. They filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for release from the hospital.

The Decision

On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes unlawful discrimination in violation of Title II of the ADA. The Court held that public entities must provide community-based services to persons with disabilities when (1) such services are appropriate; (2) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment; and (3) community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the public entity and the needs of others who are receiving disability services from the entity.

The Supreme Court explained that its holding "reflects two evident judgments." First, "institutional placement of persons who can handle and benefit from community settings perpetuates unwarranted assumptions that persons so isolated are incapable of or unworthy of participating in community life." Second, "confinement in an institution severely diminishes the everyday life activities of individuals, including family relations, social contacts, work options, economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment."

For More Information - Olmstead

• Olmstead and ADA Resources
  List of resources that provide a historical context and an update on implementation and activities that are underway to expand home and community options and make community living more accessible for individuals with disabilities.
• Olmstead: Community Integration for Everyone
  Website from Department of Justice (DOJ) dedicated to enforcement of the Supreme Court Decision in Olmstead v. L.C.
  • Q&A Guide: Statement of the DOJ on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate of ADA Title II and Olmstead v. L.C [PDF]
    Guide to assist individuals in understanding their rights and public entities in understanding their obligations under the ADA and Olmstead.
• Olmstead Rights - I am Olmstead
  Website about the Olmstead decision, includes self-help and legal advocacy tools, and shares how the decision has positively impacted people’s lives in their own words through stories, photos, and videos.
• Faces of Olmstead
  Personal stories from the thousands of people whose lives have been improved by the Olmstead decision and the DOJ’s Olmstead enforcement work.
• Olmstead v. L.C
  (98-536) 527 U.S. 581 (1999) 138 F.3d 893, affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded.

News Highlights - Olmstead

• Justice Department Modifies Major Olmstead Settlement Agreement with North Carolina
• ACL Hosts Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Tuesdays Webinar Series in March and April

More: Olmstead in the News >