Introduction
On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581, that the unjustified segregation or isolation of people with disabilities in institutions can constitute discrimination based on disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accordingly, the Court held that the ADA requires that States provide community-based treatment for persons with disabilities “when the State’s treatment professionals determine that such placement is appropriate, the affected persons do not oppose such treatment, and the placement can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the States and the needs of others with . . . disabilities.” 527 U.S. at 607.
In light of this decision, the District is instituting a comprehensive working plan to serve qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Supreme Court’s holding in Olmstead. This plan establishes certain goals of the District to help ensure that community-based treatment is provided to persons with disabilities, when such treatment is appropriate. However, this plan does not create independent legal obligations on the part of the District.
A wide range of District stakeholders including persons with disabilities and Mayor Vincent Gray directed and supported the Office of Disability Rights to develop the Olmstead Community Integration Plan in accordance with policies and procedures outlined in D.C. Act 16-595 the Disability Rights Protection Act of 2006. The District values its residents with disabilities as contributing members of society and understands the cost-effective benefits of supporting them with integrated, community-based services. The DC Olmstead Community Integration Plan, One Community for All is a policy document that details the rights of each person with a disability to self-determination in the District of Columbia.
One Community for All endeavors to meet the needs and preferences of the individual while allowing him or her to choose where s/he wants to live in the community with the appropriate supports and services consistent with the Olmstead decision and the resources available to the District to serve such individuals, taking into account the needs of others. The Plan is a living document, providing specific goals, action steps, and tools, while allowing for better flexibility and improved services for individuals with disabilities.
Note: 2021-2024 Olmstead Plan can be found at https://odr.dc.gov/page/olmstead. You may submit questions or comments for future consideration by e-mailing [email protected].
Printable Version of Plans and Summaries:
2020 Olmstead Plan: 2017-2020 Olmstead Plan
2019 Agency Quarterly Reports: https://odr.dc.gov/page/2019-olmstead-agency-quarterly-reports
2018 Agency Quarterly Reports and Plan Amendments: https://odr.dc.gov/page/2018-olmstead-quarterly-reports-and-plan-amendments
2017 Agency Quarterly Reports: http://odr.dc.gov/page/2017-olmstead-agency-quarterly-reports
2016 Olmstead Plan and Appendices:http://odr.dc.gov/page/016-olmstead-plan-and-appendices
2016 Olmstead Working Group Meeting Minutes: http://odr.dc.gov/page/dc-olmstead-working-group-meeting-minutes
2016 Agency Quarterly Reports: http://odr.dc.gov/page/2016-agency-quarterly-reports
2015 Calendar Year Annual Summary: http://odr.dc.gov/page/dc-one-community-all-2015-annual-summary
2015 Calendar Year Agency Olmstead Goals: http://odr.dc.gov/page/2015-calendar-year-agency-olmstead-goals
2015 Olmstead Plan: http://odr.dc.gov/release/dc-one-community-all-fy-2015-community-integration-plan
2015 Olmstead Plan Addendum: http://odr.dc.gov/page/2015-olmstead-community-integration-plan-and-addendum
2015 Agency Quarterly Reports: http://odr.dc.gov/page/olmstead-community-integration-quarterly-reports
2014 Agency Goal Summary: http://odr.dc.gov/release/odr-releases-dc-one-community-all-fy-14-agency-goal-summary
2013 Fiscal Year Olmstead Plan : http://odr.dc.gov/release/dc-office-disability-rights-releases-dc-one-community-all-fy-2013-olmstead-community