JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) is proud to announce the release of a new white paper focused on one of the most significant — and often overlooked — legal victories for people with disabilities: The Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision.
The Olmstead Decision affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to live in the community, rather than being unnecessarily institutionalized. Despite its importance, many people — including those who work in and rely on disability support systems — are unfamiliar with what Olmstead means, why it matters, and how it shapes the services and supports available today in Missouri!
This white paper, created by MODDC’s Olmstead Sub-Committee (OSC), is designed to make the decision and its ongoing impact easier to understand. The OSC reviewed Missouri’s original Olmstead Plan, written 25 years ago to determine what progress has been made and what work still needs to be done to ensure people with disabilities can live full lives in their communities.
The paper highlights:
- A plain language overview of the Olmstead Decision
- The current state of community inclusion in Missouri
- Gaps in services and barriers to inclusion that remain.
- Systemic recommendations to advance Olmstead’s promise.
View the paper here in English or Spanish: Olmstead Information Center Olmstead Information Center
The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) is a federally-funded, 23-member,
consumer-driven council appointed by the Governor. Its mandate under P.L. 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and integration in all aspects of community life. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.moddcouncil.org.