Defend Disability Rights in Pennsylvania

I am writing to ask you to publicly reaffirm Pennsylvania’s commitment to Section 504, the ADA, Olmstead v. L.C., and the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate. On September 23, 2026, a federal court vacated nationwide the community-integration provisions of HHS’s 2024 Section 504 regulations. Section 504 itself remains law, as do the ADA and Olmstead, but removing these federal regulatory protections is significant. People with disabilities should not be forced into more restrictive or institutional settings simply because they need publicly funded supports. Please make clear that Pennsylvania will continue to protect community integration and take concrete steps to preserve access to home- and community-based services. I also ask that Pennsylvania oppose efforts to weaken the civil-rights protections that allow disabled children and adults to participate fully in their schools, homes, and communities. At a time when federal protections are being narrowed, state leadership matters. Please stand firmly with Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families.