By Renee Williams, NLIHC Senior Advisor for Public Policy
Disability rights advocates are asking states to reaffirm their commitment to the statutory right of people with disabilities to live in integrated community settings in response to a recent memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) (see Memo, 6/29).
In a July 22, 2026, post, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law called upon advocates to ask their states to sign a statement entitled, “Our Commitment to Community Integration for People with Disabilities.” The statement represents a collaboration among national disability rights organizations. The effort asks states to express their commitment to the integration mandate for people with disabilities in accordance with the decades-old U.S. Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. L.C., despite the DOJ memo.
The Bazelon Center created a background document, which outlines how states can join the statement.
Additional information is available at this resource from the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund.
Read an overview of disability rights strategies for unhoused residents in NLIHC’s 2026 Advocates’ Guide.
Read an overview of the Olmstead implementation in NLIHC’s 2026 Advocates’ Guide.