ADA 36: Generational Perspectives on the Americans with Disability Act Insights from John Kemp and Courtney Felle

ADA 36: Generational Perspectives on the Americans with Disability Act

Insights from John Kemp and Courtney Felle

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is now 36, old enough that an entire generation of disabled people has never known a world without it, and recent enough that many of the leaders who fought for its passage are still actively building on its promise. This piece draws on the reflections of two advocates from different points in that journey: John D. Kemp, President & CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, and co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), who was part of the generation that fought for the ADA's passage, and Courtney Felle, a member of the "ADA Generation" who grew up entirely in the law's wake, was a part of the AAPD Internship Program, and is now a PhD student in Rhetoric Studies and Critical Disability Studies. Together, their perspectives trace what the ADA set out to do, what it has accomplished, and what work remains.

Formation and Impact of the ADA

For Kemp, the ADA was never just a civil rights statute. He describes it as "a national commitment to four enduring promises: equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency." His hope was that people with disabilities would no longer have to fight for basic access to schools, jobs, transportation, health care, businesses, and civic life, and that the country would move "beyond charity and accommodation as acts of kindness and toward equality as a matter of justice." He hoped the law would reshape attitudes, so that "disability would no longer be viewed as a limitation on human potential, but as a natural part of the human experience."

Felle's entry point looked different, shaped by coming of age after the law was already in place. "When I first became disabled, the ADA didn't have much direct impact on me," they recall. They weren’t yet formally diagnosed, their high school offered no support for disabled students, and no one told them about their legal rights. They had "a vague sense that something wasn't right, informed by a basic awareness of disability advocacy." It was only as they connected with other disabled people that they "could strategically use the language of the ADA to seek accommodations in college, workplaces, and public spaces," and lean on that same advocacy to develop, in her words, "my own strong sense of disability pride."

Progress Made, and What Remains Unfinished

Both advocates commend real progress over the ADA's 36 years, and both are clear-eyed about how fragile that progress is. Kemp points to "extraordinary progress in physical accessibility, public awareness, and legal recognition of disability rights," citing curb cuts, accessible buildings, inclusive education, and growing representation of disabled people in leadership. But he names employment, economic opportunity, and digital accessibility as where "the greatest challenges remain," warning that "too many qualified individuals with disabilities continue to encounter low expectations, hiring discrimination, inaccessible technology, and policies that unintentionally discourage work and financial independence." He argues that emerging tools like artificial intelligence "must be designed inclusively from the beginning rather than retrofitted later."

Felle also frames the stakes in urgent terms. The ADA, they say, "gave people in the ADA Generation the expectation of access and the courage to demand more when places didn't live up to that expectation." But is blunt about the risk: "as we're currently witnessing, the ADA can be rolled back. We must work to permanently enshrine disability rights in our society." For them, the deeper work is cultural as much as legal: "Accommodations aren't burdens or special rights but are necessary for all people to participate in society and learn from each other's insights. The world is better for everyone when disabled people are everywhere."

Why Cross-Generational and Cross-Disability Collaboration Matters

Both advocates see the diversity of the disability community as a source of strength. Kemp notes that "while our disabilities may differ, our civil rights are shared," and that cross-disability collaboration "ensures that solutions are inclusive rather than narrowly focused." He argues cross-generational leadership is equally vital: "those who helped secure the ADA carry valuable lessons about advocacy, coalition-building, and perseverance, while younger leaders bring fresh perspectives on technology, culture, and emerging challenges." Partnerships with non-disabled allies matter too, "because accessibility and inclusion benefit everyone."

Felle discusses the same idea from the vantage point of someone whose generation is still learning that history. "Disability history still isn't taught often in schools," they say, "so direct connection with disabled elders is a critical way to learn about where the disability rights movement has been, where it's going, and how it really feels to live through it. "They also mention  "many people don't yet know that they're disabled or aren't disabled yet but may become disabled in the future," and that building community now gives them somewhere to land later: "I don't want anyone to ever feel like their life is over because they acquired a new disability. Their life is certainly changed, but they have support and meaning within disability community."

The Throughline of Mentorship

Mentorship is central for both advocates. Kemp shares that "my dad, Ed Roberts, Judy Heumann, Lex Frieden, Paul Hearne, Marca Bristo, Andy Imparato and Sen. Bob Dole have "demonstrated that effective advocacy combines expertise, collaboration, persistence, and humility," and modeled the belief that "people with disabilities should not simply be included in decisions, they should help lead them." That perspective shapes how he mentors others: "Mentorship should be about more than sharing knowledge; it should build confidence and open doors." He points to Lakeshore Foundation's Paralympic teams in wheelchair rugby, boccia, and para powerlifting as living proof, where mentoring by coaches and veteran athletes helps "leadership and management talents emerge and are put to great use in employment and civic engagement long after competitions end."

Felle's internship at the American Association for People with Disabilities connected them with Merrill Friedman, who she says, "has been helpful in explaining professional norms, introducing me to others in the disability policy ecosystem, and encouraging me to explore various professional skills and opportunities." Now, as a PhD student, their academic advisor plays a similar role: "Whenever I have questions about my research, writing, teaching, or general work-life balance within higher education, I can ask her for advice." They will continue that chain: "I try to learn from the people in my life who model good mentorship, so I can provide the same to my students."

Priorities for What Comes Next

Looking ahead, Kemp states that accessibility must be built into every part of modern life from the outset, "especially digital technology, artificial intelligence, health care, education, housing, transportation, and the workplace," rather than treated as an afterthought. He wants continued "economic empowerment... with policies that support competitive integrated employment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence," full enforcement of the ADA's existing provisions, and faster attention to mental health. Just as important, he says, is "expanding leadership opportunities for people with disabilities across every sector of society," since "policies are strongest when shaped by those with lived experience."

Felle's priority is solidarity across movements. "I would love to see the disability rights movement continue to emphasize priorities that overlap with other movements," they say. For example, during the protests for Section 504, disability advocates collaborated with the Black Panther Party, LGBTQ+ groups, unions, and churches to push for change. People from different organizations supplied each other with food, taught each other American Sign Language to communicate through blockades, and learned about each community’s needs. “We can be more effective and create more meaningful, long-lasting change when we act in partnership.”

Hope for the Future

Both advocates find hope in the generation coming up behind them. Kemp is encouraged by "the extraordinary talent, determination, and creativity of today's emerging disability leaders," who increasingly view disability not as something to overcome but as an important part of diversity and human experience." His hope is that this next generation fully realizes the ADA's four promises "not only in law but in everyday life," making "accessibility... expected rather than exceptional, and disability leadership... commonplace rather than remarkable."

Felle sees that same energy up close, "Sometimes I'll see a fantastic post about anti-ableism in education, then I'll realize the person who made it is a high schooler. I love that." They’re equally moved by "the collective organizing of young disabled people of color and young disabled, trans people in their local communities," adding simply, "Mutual aid keeps people alive." Their hope is that advocates "continue to refuse non-accessible systems" and that the generation after hers "demand more than I can even imagine yet." As they put it, “I want them to surprise us with their imagination and dedication, until disability liberation is a reality."

Thirty-six years after the ADA became law, there is still work to do. But there is also a foundation to build on, and generations of advocates ready to carry the work forward.

As Kemp puts it, "The ADA established the foundation; the next generation has the opportunity to complete its promise by creating a society where inclusion is simply the way America works."