Updated July 1, 2003

New York Adult Homes Case

New York State is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, by unlawfully segregating approximately 4,000 residents of large “adult homes” in New York City, according to plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court on July 1, 2003. The complaint alleges that these facilities, which house thousands of former psychiatric hospital patients, lack the staff, resources or mandate to provide integrated housing and services to promote community living.

Disability Advocates, Inc., a not-for-profit public interest law office, brought the suit on behalf of residents. Co-counsel in the case are: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; Disability Advocates, Inc.; New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc.; The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, MFY Legal Services and the Urban Justice Center.

• Summary of the case with links to recent documents
• Read the Complaint (browser-friendly, accessible HTML)
• Read the Complaint (printer-friendly PDF)*
• Press Release: Lawsuit Seeks Community Integration of Thousands of New Yorkers with Mental Illnesses (7/1/03)
• Statement: Bazelon Center Warns States Against Isolating People with Mental Illnesses (7/1/03)

*You will need the free Acrobat Reader to view and print this file.

Related Information from the Bazelon Center

• Civil Rights and the ADA: A wealth of information on the Americans with Disability Act. Includes extensive research on the ADA’s community integration mandate.
• Resources on the Olmstead Decision: In 1999, the Supreme Court ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act may require states to provide community-based services rather than institutional placements for individuals with disabilities. This page examines the ruling and provides information it's implications and ongoing implementation.
• Under Court Order: What the Community Integration Mandate Means for People with Mental Illnesses
• Last in Line - Barriers to Community Integration of Older Adults with Mental Illnesses: A new look at the persistent segregation of older Americans with mental illnesses and provides a prescription for reform