35 Years On – Reflections on the Anniversary of the ADA

[Editor's Note: We aired this show on July 9, 2025 as a rebroadcast of our August 2020 show. One of our guests was Mark Fenicle, the Chair of FREED's Board of Directors. We are sad to share the news that Mark passed away on August 1, 2025. The following is a statement from FREED's Executive Director, Carly Pacheco: "Mark has been involved in Independent Living since his college days. He was a steadfast leader, passionate advocate, and dear friend to FREED. His dedication to our mission and our community was unwavering, and I will certainly miss his council and support both personally and for the organization. Mark knew the value of our work and reminded us regularly where we come from, both with critical direction and reminders, as well as hilarious stories from 'the good old days.'”]

In this episode of Disability Rap, we are looking back to 2020 and the 30th anniversary of the ADA. We assembled a panel of guests from across town and across the country who joined us remotely in studio for a live radio show. The discussion was so remarkable, we are bringing you the highlights to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the ADA.

Our guests were FREED founding member Geeta Dardick, FREED board chair Mark Fenicle, Eddie Ytuarte from Pushing Limits Radio Collective and Ami Hyten who is now the director of the Lois Curtis Center in Topeka Kansas.

Reflecting on what life was like in the days before the ADA, and the struggles that brought the law to fruition, our guests shared both personal experiences and the historical reflections that place this important legislation in context. Their hopes for the current struggles and future of disability justice are as relevant now as they were five years ago.