The U.S. Supreme Court heard important cases affecting people with disabilities in the term that ended in July 2024. This guide breaks down four cases.  By examining these rulings, we can better understand how new cases might affect disability rights, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Here’s what you’ll find in this explainer:

• Explanation of the legal issues
• How these court decisions affect real life for people with disabilities
• What The Arc did to support disability rights in these cases

Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer

City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson

FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine

Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo

Looking Ahead

We hope these explainers offer valuable context for the ongoing legal discussions that affect our community.  In the upcoming 2024-2025 term, one case to watch is Stanley v. City of Sanford, Florida, which will address whether, under the ADA, a former employee — who was qualified to perform her job and who earned post-employment benefits while employed — loses her right to sue over discrimination with respect to those benefits solely because she no longer holds her job. In the current term, The Arc will continue to work to educate the Supreme Court about the specific needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provide expertise to ensure proper and robust interpretation of disability civil rights laws that impact people with IDD and the broader disability community.

Further Reading:

The Disability Docket, American University Law Review

NAACP LDF, SCOTUS 2023 Term: Cases and Decisions Roundup

NAACP LDF, SCOTUS 2024 Preview

Alliance for Justice, 2023-2024 Supreme Court Term Review

Alliance for Justice, 2024-2025 Supreme Court Preview