The Honorable Tony Coelho Shares History of the Civil Rights Legislation the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In this episode of Disability Matters, host Joyce Bender interviews former Congressman Tony Coelho to kick off Disability Pride Month. Coelho shares his personal story of being diagnosed with epilepsy, the stigma he faced, and his journey into politics, which ultimately led to his authorship of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He recounts the challenges and triumphs of getting the ADA passed, highlighting key figures and moments. Later in the show, Jennifer Mathis discusses potential cuts to Medicaid and other social programs, urging listeners to contact their representatives. Coelho and Mathis discuss the implications of the bill and potential actions. The episode concludes with a discussion of the Coelho Center for Disability Rights and a personal anecdote from Coelho's political career.