Story perspectives

Judge Approves Settlement Removing Section 504 “Most Integrated” Language

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 3:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge James W. Hendrix approved a settlement that deletes the “most integrated setting” language from Section 504.
The settlement involved Texas, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana and Montana.
The Justice Department’s June 2026 memo said the ADA and Section 504 do not require the most integrated setting.
Disability advocates, including Center for Disability Rights president Bruce Darling, called the ruling a “knife in the chest.”

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge James W. Hendrix approved a settlement that deletes the “most integrated setting” language from Section 504.
The settlement involved Texas, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana and Montana.
The Justice Department’s June 2026 memo said the ADA and Section 504 do not require the most integrated setting.
Disability advocates, including Center for Disability Rights president Bruce Darling, called the ruling a “knife in the chest.”