Yesterday was the 23rd birthday of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA falls outside the radar of many Americans because they think of freedom negatively as an absence of co-ersion rather than positively as access to basic human rights.
Even though medicaid funds exist to help, the tendency among states has been to institutionalize people with disabilities instead of helping them obtain independence. Only 12 states have spent even as much as 50% of available funds. Instead, states prefer to house their fellow Americans with disabilities in nursing homes.
While we have light years to go on this issue, it is important to stop and celebrate human rights victories as well, so happy birthday ADA!