Trump administration reverses stance on integration of people with disabilities
The Trump administration has taken steps to remove 'integration' requirements from federal disability regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Disability rights advocates warn this could lead to increased institutionalization of people with disabilities.
Why it matters
This represents a major policy shift in civil rights protections for disabled individuals in the United States.
Catch up on what you missed with our Education newsletter, sent weekly.
For nearly 50 years, the federal government has said people with disabilities should live, work and learn in the most integrated setting possible rather than be segregated in institutions like nursing homes.
The Trump administration just took its most concrete step yet to reverse that position.
Last week, a federal judge agreed to strip out mentions of "integration" from federal regulations tied to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits disability discrimination. The judge did so after the Justice Department declined to defend its own rules in a lawsuit brought by several states challenging the legality of those rules.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in