Real Choice Systems Change Grant Building Sustainable Partnerships for Housing

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In 1990, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Pub. L. 101-336) that recognized ?society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive social problem? (42 U.S.C. §12101(a) (2)). As a result of such forms of discrimination, in June of 1999, the United States Supreme Court issued its? landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C. recognizing that ?unjustified institutional isolation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination? under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA gave legal expression to the desires and rights of Americans to lead lives as valued members of their own communities despite the presence of disability. In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Supreme Court?s landmark decision, President Obama launched the ?Year of Community Living? Initiative (CLI) on June 22, 2009. This Initiative develops and implements innovative strategies that increase opportunities for Americans with disabilities and older adults to enjoy meaningful community living.

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