WASHINGTON — On June 18, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo interpreting the integration mandate in Olmstead v. Lois Curtis, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This interpretation, particularly alongside broader policy shifts affecting home- and community-based services (HCBS), raises serious concerns for people with disabilities who rely on these supports to live in their communities.

In response, Lutheran Services in America and the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network issued the following statement:

“On this 27th anniversary of Olmstead v. Lois Curtis, we give thanks for a decision that affirmed what we know to be true: every person is created with inherent dignity and is called to live in community. The promise of Olmstead — that people with disabilities can receive support in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs — reflects our shared commitment to honoring each neighbor’s God-given worth and capacity for participation in community life.

“The Department of Justice’s recent memo, while not carrying the force of law, raises troubling questions about our nation’s continued commitment to these principles. For Lutheran social ministries, community is not simply a policy outcome — it is a sacred expression of our life together. When policies or interpretations threaten to isolate or diminish the voices and choices of people with disabilities, we are called to speak with clarity and compassion.

“We are especially concerned about the cumulative impact of recent policy shifts that undermine care in community-based settings, which risk weakening the very supports that enable individuals to live with independence and purpose.

“As Lutheran social ministries, we are called to accompany our neighbors and advocate for justice that upholds dignity, inclusion, and belonging. Strong communities depend on the full participation of all.

“We urge the administration to uphold the spirit and promise of Olmstead, to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to civil rights, and to strengthen — not weaken — the systems that make community life possible for all. In doing so, we live out a shared responsibility to love and serve our neighbor, seeking a society where all can belong, and reach their full potential with health and opportunity.”