Skip to main content U.S. flag
          An official website of the United States government
            Here’s how you know
          Here's how you know **The .gov means it’s official.**
                
                Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure
                you’re on a federal government site.
 **The site is secure.**
                
                The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any
                information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.


NCD Logo
    
    NCD.gov
          National Council on Disability
        An independent federal agency committed to disability policy leadership since 1978
 Menu


close About the Council
              Misson
                
                Council Members
                
                Council Staff
                
                Email Directory
                
                Council Meetings
                
                Feedback
          
        
          
            
            
            Newsroom
            
        
          
            
            Policy Advice
              Letters
                
                Reports
                
                Testimony
                
                Toolkits
                
                Progress Reports
                
                Frameworks
                
                Fact Sheets
                
                Resources
                
                FAQ
          
        
          
            
            Policy Areas
              Civil Rights
                
                CRPD
                
                Cultural Diversity
                
                Education
                
                Emergency Management
                
                Employment
                
                Financial Assistance and Incentives
                
                Health Care
                
                Housing
                
                International
                
                Long Term Services and Support
                
                Technology
                
                Transportation
                
                Youth Perspectives Font Size:
 A
      Font Size Normal
 A
      Font Size Large
 twitter logoTwitter
 instagram logoInstagram
 linkedin logoLinkedIn
 facebook logoFacebook
 youtube logoYoutube
 Contact Us
          
          Accountability Search small
      Search


NCD Topical Overviews - Living Independently and in the Community: Implementation Lessons from the United States - Quick Reference Guide Tuesday, August  2, 2005
 
 Civil Rights
  
    

    
    CRPD
  
    

    
    International
 PDF
 August 2, 2005 **S﻿COPE AND PURPOSE:** Lex Frieden, Chairperson
Publication date: August 2, 2005 This paper provides examples of the implementation of U.S. disability policy pertaining to independent living. Best Practices
The primary aim of the independent living movement is for people with disabilities to achieve the capacity to live in their homes and communities in accordance with their own wishes, and therefore “independently.” U.S. advocacy groups have focused on various “consumer driven supports,” which help facilitate living in the community. Some of these supports include, among other things, peer counseling, advocacy services, accessible transportation, training in independent living skills, wheelchair repair, housing referrals, and personal assistant referrals. Legislation & Federal Initiatives
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public entities cannot discriminate against individuals with disabilities in the services they provide. In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Olmstead v. L.C., determined that the unjustified institutionalization of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination under the ADA.1 Following the Olmstead decision, President George W. Bush asked federal agencies to promote community living for people by: (i) providing coordinated technical assistance to states through federal grants, information, and training; (ii) identifying specific barriers in federal law, regulations, policies and practices that inhibit community integration; and (iii) enforcing the rights of people with disabilities. Federal agencies replied in various ways. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), for example, issued guidance on developing state plans that would focus on placing individuals in integrated environments and establishing a waiting list to move people into community-based settings. DHHS has also provided federal grants in order to assist states in creating programs that support community living. Also, in response to Olmstead, President Bush launched the “New Freedom Initiative,” a national plan to remove existing barriers to community living. Some of the proposals in the initiative are to increase access to assistive technology, expand educational opportunities, increase the ability of people with disabilities to integrate into employment, and promote increased access to daily community living. Barriers
Although the federal government has responded to the Olmstead decision, the National Council on Disability has found that obstacles still exist for individuals to live independently. Such barriers include lack of: affordable or accessible housing; qualified support staff; affordable and accessible transportation; adequate medical or dental care; jobs and job training; and residential and day services.  1527 U.S. 581 (1999).


Budget and Performance Congressional Budget Justification
            
            Financial Audits
            
            Buy American Act
            
            Government Performance and Results Act
 Resources Bylaws
            
            Strategic Plan
            
            Authorizing Statute
 Agency Governance News
            
            FOIA
            
            Contact NCD
            
            Subscribe for NCD News
 Policies / Statements No FEAR Act Data
            
            Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
            
            View accessibility statement
            
            View Equity Action Plan


twitter logoTwitter
 instagram logoInstagram
 linkedin logoLinkedIn
 facebook logoFacebook
 youtube logoYoutube
 
 Phone


NCD.gov
        An official website of the
          National Council on Disability