Today we join President Obama and communities around the world in observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The IDPD was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

November is National Native American Heritage Month and ACL joins the President in honoring the legacy of American Indians and Alaska Natives. According to the U.S. Census, there were more than five million Native Americans living in the United States in 2011. These individuals represent a rich and diverse culture that includes 566 federally-recognized tribes, each with its own traditions, beliefs, and history.

All of us at ACL are celebrating a historic milestone for Americans with disabilities and older Americans: the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA made clear that people with disabilities of all ages should experience equal opportunity, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and full participation in all aspects of society. From curb cuts and accessible buses to the integration of people with disabilities in schools, workplaces, businesses, and neighborhoods, the ADA has made our communities more accessible and more inclusive.

The Olmstead Decision Seventeen years ago, on June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court decided in Olmstead v. L.C. (Olmstead) that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily segregated and must receive services in the most integrated setting possible.

May 2016 The Administration for Community Living joins President Obama and Mental Health America (MHA) in recognizing Mental Health Month. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children, experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress.

Moving beyond awareness to promoting acceptance and appreciation, and raising expectations New CDC Autism Data Highlights Importance of Long-term Services and Supports, Cultural Competency

March 31, 2016 by Aaron Bishop, Commissioner, Administration on Disabilities

Since 1987, March has been designated National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This month we celebrate the many contributions people with developmental disabilities make to our society.