Celebrating 25-Years of Olmstead Decision with The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice
Twenty-five years ago this month, the Supreme Court landmark decision Olmstead vs LC and EW was decided. The Olmstead Decision, as it is known, aims to end unnecessary segregation of persons with disabilities, and to ensure that persons with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their wants and needs. The case began in Georgia, and Augusta has a direct connection to this historical decision. One of the plaintiffs was originally sent to East Central Regional Hospital – Gracewood in Augusta. At age 11 Elaine Wilson, co-plaintiff in the Olmstead case with Lois Curtis, was institutionalized there.
Walton Options for Independent Living took the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of Olmstead and what it has meant for people with disabilities to be able to direct their lives and have inclusive opportunities. We were fortunate to be joined by the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice for our celebration and events aimed at educating community members and leaders. The Caravan is a collective of persons with disabilities and allies who are driving across America from April to October to honor and celebrate people and places. It is not an organization, but a movement – a tapestry of our history, our people, and the future to come, including the work still to be done.
Walton Options hosted the CSRA portion of the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 Tour. The jam-packed three-day celebration kicked off in McCormick at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe. The event was aimed at local service providers who serve the disability community. On the way to our next event on the tour, we stopped in Lincolnton to honor Reverend Denise Freeman. Barbara Tootle, RevUp Georgia and Walton Options staff presented her with an award for her efforts in voting rights advocacy.
Walton Option’s second event saw the Caravan parked near our North Augusta office where we welcomed the public to join our street team and peer counselors who were armed with information about disability services available in the two-state area. This event allowed us to educate the North Augusta community about the need for greater efforts to realize a fully inclusive society.
The following day, the Caravan stopped in Aiken to foster a conversation between Walton Options and Aiken’s leadership. We spoke with Aiken Mayor Teddy Milner along with city officials in front of Aiken’s fully accessible playground. The City agreed that there is more it can do to become more inclusive. Part of their efforts include updating all Aiken County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) facilities to be fully accessible to all citizens.
The final event was held at the Augusta Museum of History. Walton Options invited members of the community to view the film The Long Road Home in the museum’s theater. Additionally, sketches by disability rights activist Lois Curtis were on display. We also had the National Federation of the Blind and Pawsitive for Heroes joining us.
At all the events, Walton Options and the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice shared the culture, history and spirit of the disability community. We are grateful for the opportunity to support the Caravan and meet with many members of the CSRA community.