06/23/2026
At AccessCNY, our mission is simple: everyone belongs.
That’s why we are deeply concerned by a recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion that calls into question long-standing protections supporting people with disabilities to be part of their communities.
For decades, disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act has recognized that community living is not a privilege—it’s a civil right. These protections have helped ensure that people can live, work, learn, and build relationships in the places they call home.
This new position suggests states may not be required to provide community-based supports—raising real concerns that people could once again be pushed toward institutional settings.
We cannot and will not go backward.
Belonging for people with disabilities means:
Finding meaningful work at an area Wegmans, living in the community with the support of staff, or enjoying a Syracuse Mets game with friends.
At AccessCNY, we stand with people with disabilities, families, and advocates in the belief that everyone deserves to belong—at home, in their community, and in every part of life.
We will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect dignity, inclusion, and the right for all to live fully in our community.
The Justice Department's opinion challenges civil rights protections that have long treated the institutionalization of disabled Americans as a last resort.
