One Voice Brevard

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

Defend Community Integration Coalition Statement on Texas v. Kennedy Proposed Joint Resolution

The Defend Community Integration Coalition (DCIC) strongly condemns the recent proposed joint resolution filed August 31 in the ongoing case Texas v. Kennedy. The proposed resolution aims to strike down the 2024 community integration regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This action flies in the face of decades of judicial precedent and Congressional intent to ensure that community integration remains a civil right for all people with disabilities.

As national disability rights leaders and allies, we have worked hard for decades to advance community integration as a foundational civil right for people with disabilities. We condemn any attacks aimed at undoing this work led by and for people with disabilities.

For people with disabilities, there is no right more foundational than the right to make our own choices. Far too often, we find ourselves in the position where others decide our lives for us. It takes a lot to ensure that the choices we have are real choices. It has taken years to build the supports we need to go to school, work, eat, stay housed, and raise our children.

As humans, we deserve the security of knowing that we have what we need to live our lives.

Life is not just about getting three square meals a day and getting our meds on time. It is about growing, working, loving, dreaming, failing and reaching our potential. It is about deciding when to get up, when to go out, what to eat, and with whom to live. It is hard to do these things when we are forced to stay in congregate settings where we have no say over most aspects of our lives.

Disabled people are survivors. We are spouses, parents, siblings, classmates, colleagues, and neighbors. Most of all, we are Americans determined to fight back against ideas and actions that take away our dignity and roll back years of hard-fought progress and rights.

As a coalition we will continue to work together and fight for the full realization of the community integration mandate. Community integration of people with disabilities is non-negotiable.

This is a monumental fight. In a moment like this, we need to join forces and work collectively. We are stronger together.

Join the Defend Community Integration Coalition: https://bit.ly/3V8NfIy

Additional Resources and Calls to Action

1. AAPD’s webinar “Understanding and Protecting Your Disability Rights Under Olmstead, the ADA, and Section 504” and action steps: https://bit.ly/4gCGaHi

2. Statement of National Disability Organizations on the Proposed Resolution: https://bit.ly/4zTYapt

3. DREDF’s Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4h78eEf

4. An excellent summary from Red Line for Civil Rights: https://bit.ly/4qNSTeZ

DCIC’s membership is comprised of Access Living, American Association of People with Disabilities, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Caring Across Generations, Center for Public Representation, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living, National Disability Rights Network, and United Spinal Association.

Image: Coalition Graphic. Text reads, “Defend Community Integration Coalition” followed by logos for NCIL, AAPD, ASAN, Caring Across Generations, NDRN, United Spinal, Access Living, NACDD, Center for Public Representation, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and DREDF.

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

The next APD in a Minute is here!

This video highlights the Questionnaire for Situational Information (QSI) and provides an overview of what it is, how it works, and its role in helping APD better understand the needs of the individuals we serve.

Watch the video to learn more about the QSI and its role in APD services.

Learn more and watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/qj9zHcdsXKI

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

For nearly 50 years, federal Section 504 regulations have included protections intended to ensure that people with disabilities can receive services in integrated settings rather than being unnecessarily segregated or institutionalized.

On August 31, the federal government joined Texas, Florida and Alaska in asking a federal judge to vacate HHS’s community-integration regulations.

If the judge approves the proposed settlement in Texas v. Kennedy, HHS’s Section 504 integration regulation will be vacated including the provision explicitly protecting people whose loss of community-based services places them at serious risk of institutionalization.

What does that mean for families?

Imagine your family member receives Medicaid waiver services that allow them to live safely at home. The state reduces those services so significantly that remaining at home may no longer be possible.

Until now, HHS has had an explicit Section 504 regulation saying that an HHS-funded program can violate federal disability protections when the way it designs, funds or provides services results in unnecessary institutionalization or places someone at serious risk of it.

That is the regulatory protection HHS has now agreed should be vacated.

This does not mean Olmstead has been overturned. It has not. The ADA and Section 504 remain federal law, and existing court precedent does not disappear.

But there is an enormous difference between having a right and having the federal government actively enforce that right.

People with disabilities may increasingly have to turn to appeals, disability-rights organizations and the courts to enforce community-integration rights that federal agencies previously helped protect.

The proposed settlement still requires the judge’s approval.

The right remains. The federal protection is retreating.

09/02/2026

What does it mean to have a real choice about where and how you live?

This September, Disability Rights Florida is launching Olmstead Voices: Stories of Choice and Community, a month-long series about community living, choice, and the rights protected by Olmstead v. L.C.

The 1999 Supreme Court decision affirmed that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and that services should be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to a person’s needs.

Throughout the month, we’ll share stories and information about what that can mean in everyday life, including having a say in where you live, receiving needed services and supports, building relationships, and being part of your community.

Follow Olmstead Voices throughout September on our social media and learn more about Disability Rights at https://bit.ly/2XT0GLF.

09/02/2026

On August 31, the Department of Justice threw its weight behind Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, and Texas in the Texas v. Kennedy case by asking a federal court to erase community integration protections from all of the Health and Human Services’ Section 504 regulations.
We strongly and unequivocally condemn this and any actions that try to weaken our rights and existence in the community. Right now, we can assure you that the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 remain unchanged.

DREDF joined national disability organizations in strongly condemning this signal to turn back the clock on disability rights, autonomy, and community integration.

Read the full statement and get more information on how to : https://dredf.org/statement-texas-v-kennedy-september-2026/

09/01/2026