Least Restrictive Placement

The term least restrictive placement refers to the concept of the least restrictive environment (LRE), a legal principle ensuring the social integration of people with disabilities. Social policies in the United States, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, require public entities to administer their programs in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities to facilitate their positive relationships with nondisabled people in typical community settings. The focus of the LRE principle is not on the type of facility but rather on whether a placement can provide the necessary services an individual needs to have life experiences that most community members find desirable. Placements that might be appropriate for an individual receiving public health services range from institutional settings to ...