The right of people with developmental disabilities to live in the community was reinforced by the July 13, 1999 decision of the United States Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson wanted to receive services from the state of Georgia in the community instead of in a psychiatric institution.

They argued that Georgia violated their right to services in the most integrated setting under the ADA. Their case went all the way to the Supreme Court.

The decision still leaves room for states to maintain “a range of facilities.”

Photo courtesy Jeffrey Macmillan for US News &World Report