06/22/2026
On This Day – June 22, 1999
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C., one of the most important disability rights cases in American history.
The case involved two women, identified as L.C. and E.W., who had mental disabilities and were receiving treatment in a state psychiatric hospital in Georgia. Their treatment professionals determined that both women could be appropriately served in community-based settings rather than remaining institutionalized. Despite those recommendations, they continued to be confined in the hospital.
L.C. and E.W. challenged their continued institutionalization under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), arguing that they were being unnecessarily segregated because of their disabilities.
The Supreme Court agreed.
In a landmark ruling, the Court held that unjustified institutionalization of people with disabilities can constitute discrimination under the ADA. The Court recognized that individuals with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs when community-based placement is appropriate, desired by the individual, and can be reasonably accommodated.
Why it matters today:
Olmstead transformed disability rights in the United States by affirming that people with disabilities should not be unnecessarily isolated from their communities. The decision helped advance community inclusion, independence, and equal opportunities for millions of Americans with disabilities.
More than 25 years later, Olmstead continues to shape policies and services that support individuals with disabilities in living, learning, working, and participating fully in their communities.
