Fast Facts

Application of the American's with Disabilities Act

In 1999 the United States Supreme Court heard the case of a woman who was admitted to a psychiatric facility but then kept in the facility after her treatment concluded. Her continued stay at the hospital was based on her need for placement within the community.

Her guardian filed suit on the patient's behalf based on the premise that the hospital kept her simply due to the diagnosis despite the completion of treatment, and that such behavior was discriminatory.

The supreme court found that the “unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination.” The Court also held that when the State’s treatment professionals determine that treatment in the community is appropriate, the State is then required to place the individual in a community setting. The Court added that the State does not need to immediately transfer people to a community setting, but needs to have a mechanism in place to carry out such within a reasonable amount of time.