In a press release timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision, President Obama announced the launch of “The Year of Community Living,” an effort to assist Americans with disabilities.

The initiative is aimed at improving access for people with disabilities to housing, community supports, and independent living arrangements. The White House release pledged an increase in the number of Section 8 housing vouchers, as well as enhanced coordination between officials at the departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development.

From the release:

“The Olmstead ruling was a critical step forward for our nation, articulating one of the most fundamental rights of Americans with disabilities: Having the choice to live independently,” said President Obama. “I am proud to launch this initiative to reaffirm my Administration’s commitment to vigorous enforcement of civil rights for Americans with disabilities and to ensuring the fullest inclusion of all people in the life of our nation.”

Disability rights advocates have criticized Obama recently for backing off his campaign promise to endorse the Community Choice Act, legislation that would give Medicaid recipients equal access to services in the community and help them live independently outside of institutions. The administration recently said it would not address the issue as part of its proposed health care overhaul.

The Supreme Court’s 1996 decision in Olmstead v. L.C. held that unjustified segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions is a form of discrimination prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

See also:

• HUD to offer assistance to 4,000 Americans with disabilities (press release.) The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to offer rental assistance to 4,000 non-elderly families with disabilities, including 1,000 vouchers specifically targeted to those transitioning out of nursing homes and other care facilities.
• Sens. Harkin, Kennedy introduce legislation to commemorate Olmstead decision (press release)
• Obama boosts in-home services for the disabled – ProPublica.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 am and is filed under housing, independent living, law, NOT2BEMISSED, nursing homes, Obama administration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.