Press Releases and Statements

Your rights to Community Integration Continue

Three days ago, on June 18, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released an internal memorandum regarding the Supreme Court of the United State’s ruling in Olmstead v. L.C.. The internal memorandum provides guidance on the “integration mandate”. The mandate requires people with disabilities be provided supports and services in the most integrated settings appropriate. This means providing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) over institutionalization.

Please remember the Olmstead ruling remains the same as yesterday, individuals with disabilities have the same rights of inclusion today as they did yesterday.

Disability Rights Iowa (DRI) Receives Renewed $25,000 Capacity Building Grant from Principal® Foundation

IOWA – Disability Rights Iowa (DRI) today announced it has received a second $25,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Principal® Foundation, a global nonprofit organization committed to helping people and communities build financially secure futures, renewing crucial support for the agency’s statewide advocacy efforts.

Court Grants Final Approval of Settlement to Ensure Iowa’s Children Receive Vital Mental Health Services

Des Moines, IA – A federal court has issued a final approval of a Settlement Agreement in a class action lawsuit brought against the Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS). 

Voices of Iowans with disabilities needed

Iowans with disabilities are urged to share their perspectives, opinions, and needs with Disability Rights Iowa as they re-evaluate the focus of their advocacy.

IOWA — To best serve Iowans with disabilities, Disability Rights Iowa (DRI) needs Iowans with disabilities to fill out their 2025 Areas of Focus Survey. The survey questions ask the community to share the disability rights issues impacting them right now. Those answers are used by DRI’s Board of Directors to decide how direct DRI’s advocacy for the next three years. Participants will be asked a variety of questions about the services DRI provides as well as a new question on what issues Iowans are experiencing pop up around the state.

COURT PRELIMINARILY APPROVES SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FILED TO ENSURE IOWA’S CHILDREN RECEIVE VITAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | 1/29/2025

State submits Implementation Plan outlining steps for improving the delivery of responsive, effective mental and behavioral health care services for children

Des Moines, IA – Last Friday, a federal court preliminarily approved a Settlement Agreement in a class action lawsuit brought against the Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) to ensure that children with mental health disabilities receive the legally required and medically necessary mental health care services they need when and where they need them, without being segregated from their loved ones and communities.