as small as a world and as large as alone, disabilityhistory: Image description: Photograph...

11:29am May 31, 2014

disabilityhistory:

Image description: Photograph of Lois Curtis smiling.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Olmstead case, brought by Lois Curtis, the woman pictured above, and Elaine Wilson.
What’s the Olmstead case?

The story of the Olmstead case begins with two women, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who had mental illness and developmental disabilities, and were voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit in the State-run Georgia Regional Hospital. Following the women’s medical treatment there, mental health professionals stated that each was ready to move to a community-based program. However, the women remained confined in the institution, each for several years after the initial treatment was concluded. They filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for release from the hospital.

Image description: Photograph of Lois Curtis smiling.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Olmstead case, brought by Lois Curtis, the woman pictured above, and Elaine Wilson.

What’s the Olmstead case?

The story of the Olmstead case begins with two women, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who had mental illness and developmental disabilities, and were voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit in the State-run Georgia Regional Hospital. Following the women’s medical treatment there, mental health professionals stated that each was ready to move to a community-based program. However, the women remained confined in the institution, each for several years after the initial treatment was concluded. They filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for release from the hospital.