The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation and state and local services, has been law for twenty years. This has enabled approximately 50 million people to enjoy legal rights that were previously denied to them.

However, these gains are being reduced.  Because of the recession states are reducing or terminating funding for assistance to the disabled, says Phil Oliff, a policy analyst with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which analyzes the effect of public spending on low-income people. The cuts include cash, home nursing services and grants to agencies that help the disabled live independently.

Under the ADA and the Supreme Court upholding the decision, the disabled have a right to live in communities, like everyone else, and the States, within their resources, must provide community-based services to make it happen.