Disability Freedom is at risk in a way it has not been in over 30 years. The integration mandate - the fundamental concept that every individual has a right to live in the most integrated setting of their choice - is under attack on multiple fronts. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has said it is enforceable. Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Federal government arguing that the integration mandate is not enforceable. Both of these actions come from a dramatic shift in how the Supreme Court views the ability of Federal agencies - a view that was laid out in Justice Thomas' dissent in Olmstead when it was first decided. 

The repeal of the integration mandate would dramatically change 30 years of our fight for Disability Freedom and seriously erode the protections of both the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitiation Act. But the integration mandate - as important as it is - was never perfect to begin with. To enforce Olmstead, we had to sue. And because of a number of exceptions in the rule, winning those cases was difficult. 

Fortunately - the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act not only fixes the original problems with the integration mandate, by plainly and clearly establishing the right to live and receive services in the community as a fundamental civil right, it eliminates the problems faced in both DOJ and the Supreme Court.

But we need your help to pass it.

Please email your Senator and Congressperson to ask them to sponsor, strongly support, and pass the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act. Our freedom depends on it.