Right to Leave Residential Facilities
People with disabilities living in residential facilities of any size have the right to leave and find a place in the community to live.
Your legal right to living in the community
If you have a disability, you have the legal right to live where you want. If you are currently living in a large facility, you have the right to leave for a smaller place to live in a community of your choice.
The Americans with Disabilities Act says states MUST give services in the “most integrated setting.” In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court said that segregating people with disabilities in institutions is a form of discrimination. Now, more people with disabilities are living in the community.
Moving to the community can work for anyone.
Community living can work for everyone
No matter what type of disability or how severe it is, anyone can live happily in the community.
You can get every type of service and support at your own home that you can get at a large facility. Often, you can get the same help in the community at lower cost and higher quality. These include:
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Nursing
- 24-hour support or supervision
- Vocational training
The types of places you can choose to live in include:
- Apartments
- Shared living
- Group homes
- Family homes
People who choose to stay in the family home with parents or other relatives can have services right at home.
Learn about your rights
Below are topics about leaving facilities and living in the community on your own or with others.
Housing Discrimination The federal Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities from unfair treatment when renting or buying
- Living in the Community
Access to Trains The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says that if a town or city has a
- Living in the Community, Right to Services in Different Settings
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities Under the ADA, people with disabilities, including older adults with physical or mental disabilities,
- Living in the Community, Right to Services in Different Settings
- Living in the Community, Right to Services in Different Settings
Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools Students at colleges, universities, and trade schools who have disabilities have legal rights
- Living in the Community, School & Education Rights
- Living in the Community, Right to Leave Residential Facilities, Right to Services in Different Settings
- Living in the Community, Right to Services in Different Settings
- Living in the Community, Right to Services in Different Settings
- Living in the Community, Right to Leave Residential Facilities, Right to Services in Different Settings
- Living in the Community
