On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released a new legal opinion about disability rights laws and access to home and community-based care for people with disabilities.
For many years, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision have been understood to support the right of people with disabilities to receive services in their homes and communities when feasible. This is often called the “integration mandate” and It means people with disabilities should not be separated from their families, schools, jobs, or communities when they can receive care in their home or with a community-based provider.
The legal opinion shared by the Department of Justice argues these laws do not require states to provide home and community-based care services. The opinion of the Department of Justice does not repeal the ADA or Section 504. It also does not overturn the Olmstead decision. However, it may change how the federal government chooses to interpret and enforce these laws in the future.
This issue matters because many people with disabilities rely on home and community-based services to live safely and with dignity outside of institutions. These services can include help with daily activities, support at school or work, personal care, transportation, and other supports that make community life possible. Changes in federal interpretation or enforcement could affect how states plan, fund, and provide these services.
Take Action
Contact your federal elected officials and urge them to protect the right of people with disabilities to receive home and community-based care.
Senator Patty Murray
(202) 224-2621
murray.senate.gov/write-to-patty
Senator Maria Cantwell
(202) 224-3441
cantwell.senate.gov/contact
Find Your U.S. Representative:
congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office