Help support community integration of OT services for people with disabilities
On September 23, a federal court removed the community integration language from the federal Section 504 rules in Texas v. Kennedy. This change may weaken the provisions of the Olmstead Decision, which legally protects the rights of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their communities.
It’s important that OT practitioners come alongside disabled Tennesseeans, and call on our governor to affirm Tennessee’s commitment to community integration for people with disabilities.
Click here for a helpful explainer from the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF).
These governors have signed “Our Commitment to Community Integration for People with Disabilities”
Arizona
Connecticut
Delaware
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Washington
Wisconsin
If your state isn’t on this list, call or email your governor’s office and state attorney general and say:
“Hi, my name is (your name), and I live in Tennessee. I am asking Governor Lee and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to sign the statement “Our Commitment to Community Integration for People with Disabilities“. People with disabilities have the right to live in our communities, not institutions, and I want my governor to say so publicly.”
Need your governor or attorney general’s contact info?
Find your governor – usa.gov/state-governor
Find your A.G. – naag.org/find-my-ag/
You can also call USAGov at 1-844-872-4681.