02/26/2026
In honor of Black History Month, we would like to highlight the incredible Miss Lois Curtis. Lois was born on July 14th, 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and due to the lack of resources available to her, she endured many challenges throughout her life. Lois was institutionalized, despite medical recommendations that she could live successfully within the community. Her lawsuit later became known as the landmark Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C. In 1999, in which the Court ruled that unnecessary institutionalization constitutes discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case changed the way that services are provided to people with disabilities, moving away from institutionalization and towards providing care while individuals live and work within the community.
In addition to her advocacy work, Lois was a talented artist and lived a full life until her unfortunate passing in 2022.
We are deeply grateful for Miss Lois and her invaluable contributions to the ID/DD community. ❤️