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Photo description left to right: Sue Jamieson, the attorney that brought the Olmstead case to the Supreme Court; Elaine Wilson and Lois Curtis, prevailing plaintiffs
On June 22, 1999, US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg delivered what has become known as the “Olmstead Decision“. Olmstead v. LC is regarded as one of the most important civil rights case for people with disabilities. Drawing from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Supreme Court held that people with disabilities have a qualified right to live in the community of their choosing and that states must eliminate the unnecessary segregation of persons with disabilities. The decision acknowledged that segregating individuals with disabilities in institutional settings deprives them of the chance to participate in their communities, interact with people who do not have disabilities and make their own day-to-day choices. The Olmstead decision furthered the promise of the ADA, prohibiting unnecessary segregation and expanding integrated services for people with disabilities.
In 2003, the California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Agency released the California Olmstead Plan, which provides a blueprint for improving California’s long-term care delivery system to ensure that persons with disabilities and older adults have appropriate access and choice regarding community-based services and long-term care options. The Olmstead Advisory Committee was established within the California Health and Human Services Agency in 2005 to ensure the involvement of people with disabilities and other system stakeholders in making recommendations on actions to improve California’s long term care system. The Olmstead Advisory Committee members represent consumers, family members, providers and advocates.
The Olmstead Advisory Committee was originally established within the CHHS in 2005. In March 2021, the Committee was renamed to the “Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee” to better reflect and communicate the vision and purpose of the Committee. The Committee builds upon the work of the California Olmstead Plan released in 2012, the Governor’s Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force Report issued in November 2020, and the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging issued in January 2021.
On the upcoming 21st anniversary of the Olmstead Decision, the California State Independent Living Council celebrates the progress made in civil rights for people with disabilities. We honor the plaintiffs of Olmstead v. LC, Louis Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who had mental health disabilities and demanded equality under the law and the freedom to choose. Let’s also celebrate the efforts of people with disabilities and their families and the disability rights community, and the sacrifices they have made to further these efforts.
While we celebrate, we also acknowledge there is more to be done. We must continue to build an array of community-based and integrated options to support choice and independence, and work to end inappropriate and unnecessary institutionalization. Together, we can advance integration, encourage and support full, meaningful inclusion in community life, and economic self-sufficiency.
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