Before the ADA, people with disabilities faced institutionalization, segregation, and eugenic practices aimed at weeding out undesirable traits. The ADA brought disability rights into the civil rights movement.

The ADA had a profound impact on the lives of those who came of age after its passage, providing access to education, employment, and public spaces through accommodations like ramps and accessible features.

While the ADA brought significant progress, challenges remain, such as enforcing compliance and fighting against continued discrimination and ableism. Younger generations are pushing for inclusive representation and addressing intersectional issues within the disability community.