For Immediate Release

June 21, 2015
CONTACT
Talley Wells, Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
770-817-7527 I ctwells@atlantalegalaid.org

Celebrate the 16th Anniversary of Olmstead at OlmsteadRights.org!

Atlanta Georgia, (June 21, 2015)  The 16th Anniversary of the most important civil rights lawsuit for people with disabilities, Olmstead v. LC (1999), is June 22, 2015.  Everyone is encouraged to visit OlmsteadRights.org on the anniversary.  OlmsteadRights.org is a comprehensive advocacy and story-filled website developed by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. in partnership with the Legal Services Corporation, Pro Bono Net and the National Disability Rights Network.  It was funded through a Technology Initiative Grant from the Legal Services Corporation.

OlmsteadRights.org includes (1) a history of Olmstead, (2) I am Olmstead stories, (3) Self-Help Tools and (4) Legal Advocacy Tools. Some of its best features are: State by state resources for each of the 50 states; A self-help assessment tool where an individual can determine whether and how Olmstead could work for him or her; “I am Olmstead” stories showing men and women whose lives have been transformed by the decision; Legal tools for attorneys bringing Olmstead lawsuits, including pleadings, a legal outline, and resources; and a history of Olmstead including a 30 minute movie about the Olmstead case and links to the oral arguments.

Olmstead was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1999.  It held people with disabilities have the right to receive supports and services in their own homes rather than in institutions and nursing facilities.  “The case is transforming America’s infrastructure for people with disabilities from a 19th century institutional system to a 21st century system based on independence, dignity and freedom,” said Talley Wells of the Atlanta Society who created the website.  “There is still a long way to go to fulfill the promise of this decision and OlmsteadRights.org provides the tools for attorneys and self-advocates to make this happen.”

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