This month, as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we wanted to reflect not just on the policy—but on its lived impact. At Envisioning Access, we believe it’s vital to center the voices of those directly affected by disability policy, especially when envisioning the future. To help guide that reflection, I sat down with Serjio Brereda, our Fund Development Manager, for a conversation on how the ADA has shaped his life, identity, and vision for what comes next.

Each time the United States engages in a new war or combat situation, a new generation of wounded veterans returns home—many with complex and permanent disabilities. While advances in battlefield medicine are increasing survival rates, they have also resulted in a growing population of veterans with amputations, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other lasting impairments. These visible and invisible wounds require long-term, adaptive solutions.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, introduces significant changes to federal programs, notably Medicaid and other safety net services. These changes are poised to have profound effects on individuals with disabilities, potentially undermining their access to essential healthcare, housing, education, and support services.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country will need to fill 9.3 million direct care job openings by 2031. Without targeted intervention, this shortage will accelerate, disproportionately impacting seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Recent policy shifts in both the US and the UK have led to substantial cuts in funding and protective measures for disability communities. These actions, aimed at reducing public spending, risk leaving millions of disabled individuals without essential services.