ADA and Nursing Homes

Before the end of the 2024 year, the U.S. District Court of D.C. made a decision addressing an inadequacy in nursing homes that violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to the Plaintiffs of the case, the District of Columbia has been withholding information from nursing facilities about residents’ rights. Those currently residing in facilities – that have disabilities –are liable to move out and receive home health care, while also having programs that will aid in the transition to semi-independent living.

This decision came from a lawsuit in 2010, followed by a trial that occurred in 2021, recognizing that those with disabilities were not being given the proper opportunity to live in their own communities. See the full court ruling here.

From this point forward, the responsibility is properly being replaced with district assistance and aid, so that no person is facing discrimination because
of their abilities. It is a hope that this ruling will help set a precedent for recognizing the rights that are upheld by the ADA. The attorneys of Disability Rights DC, with the help AARP Foundation Litigation, were the plaintiffs who drew attention to this issue and brought the case to trial.