The Olmstead Decision
In the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. ruling, the Supreme Court recognized the need for a range of services for people with mental retardation or other disabilities. This decision responds to the varied and unique needs of the entire disability community: “We emphasize that nothing in the ADAor its implementing regulations condones termination of institutional settings for persons unable to handle or benefit from community settings...Nor is there any federal requirement that community-based treatment be imposed on patients who do not desire it.” 119 S. Ct. 2176, 2187 (1999).
