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 accordance with the decades-old U.S. Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. Lois Curtis.
Individuals can go to urge their own state to pledge support for community integration.
Brief Background
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 responds to a recent memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) (see Memo, 6/29) that rejects the Olmstead community integration mandate. Taking action is even more critical after last week’s setback in the court ruling in Texas v. Kennedy, which vacated key community integration provisions in the Department of Health and Human Services’ 2024 Section 504 regulations. On September 24, 2026, national disability organizations condemned the ruling with this statement.
The federal government may be abandoning its duty to enforce the right of people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities, but state leaders can and must enforce this right.
Governors who have signed the statement include Katie Hobbs (AZ), Ned Lamont (CT), Matt Meyer (DE), JB Pritzker (IL), Maura Healey (MA), Wes Moore (MD), Janet Mills (ME), Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Tim Walz (MN), Josh Stein (NC), Mikie Sherill (NJ), Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM), Kathy Hochul (NY), Tina Kotek (OR), Josh Shapiro (PA), Dan McKee (RI), Bob Ferguson (WA), and Tony Evers (WI).
Take Action!
The Kelsey has created an action page where individuals can help reach out to their governors and ask them to sign the statement.
For additional background: