For Immediate Release, September 23, 2026
Contact: Jess Davidson, jdavidson@aapd.com; 202-975-0960
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the federal judge in Texas v. Kennedy vacated the community integration requirements in the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Section 504 rule. The resolution approved by the judge was proposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of HHS and Texas, Florida, Alaska, Louisiana, and Montana. The case is now closed. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) strongly opposes the judge’s decision to eliminate the community integration requirements.
This ruling does not take away longstanding protections against forcing disabled people into institutions. It affects only certain parts of the 2024 rule. Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision remain in place. The judge made no finding that Section 504 or the right to community integration is unconstitutional or otherwise invalid.
The decision to remove the community integration mandate applies to all states, not just the states who sued. The provisions being removed made clear that health and social services should support disabled people in community settings whenever appropriate. Losing that clear direction is a serious setback. Disabled people should not have to enter an institution to get the services they need.
“The judge’s decision to eliminate these requirements is a rollback of the right to community integration, but it is not a complete rollback of disability rights. Every disabled person deserves to receive care in the most integrated setting so that they maintain autonomy, agency, and self-direction,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD.
“Generations of disability activists have fought for community integration, and that fight continues to this day. AAPD will remain on the frontlines of the movement for community living,” Town continued.
AAPD will continue working with disabled people and our partners to protect and enforce the right to live in our communities. We will share more information as we assess the ruling and its impact.