Alliance Alert: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery strongly agrees with and stands alongside Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and other leading national disability rights organizations condemning the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed resolution in Texas v. Kennedy.
The proposed resolution seeks to remove references to community integration from federal Section 504 regulations, including the integration provision itself. As national advocates make clear, this action does not and cannot erase decades of law protecting the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their communities. The integration mandate is a longstanding legal precedent that cannot simply be disregarded because of changing political priorities.
DOJ’s new interpretation is openly out of step with nearly 50 years of legal understanding and could have devastating consequences, potentially opening the door to increased segregation and institutionalization of people with mental health challenges and other disabilities.
We join the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, The Arc of the United States, Center for Public Representation, ACLU, and other national advocates in condemning this effort and calling on states, Congress, and the federal government to reinforce and defend the right of people with disabilities to community integration. The Alliance will continue fighting to protect these rights and the community-based services and supports that make them a reality.
Join Us at Our Annual Conference
These threats will be front and center at the Alliance’s upcoming Annual Conference during our special panel on Olmstead and the Future of the Integration Mandate, featuring national legal and disability rights experts.
Panelists will examine the current threats to Olmstead, what these federal actions could mean for people with disabilities, and what we can do together to protect community integration and prevent a return to segregation and institutionalization.
Join us to learn more and be part of the fight to protect disability rights, community living, and the promise of Olmstead.
Register for Conference HERE
Full Conference Program
