Willowbrook Consent Decree

The Willowbrook Consent Decree was a legal agreement resulting from a lawsuit regarding the treatment of residents at the Willowbrook State School, a facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities in New York. In the early 1970s, the conditions were found to be inhumane, with overcrowding and inadequate care. The decree mandated improvements in living conditions, proper staffing, and the right to individual care. This landmark case significantly influenced the rights of individuals with disabilities and helped pave the way for reforms in institutional care and the push for community-based services.