The Brendle Siblings: Navigating Life Through Support and Advocacy
In the heart of New Jersey, siblings Kaleigh and Cody Brendle have always shared a unique bond, growing up near the Jersey Shore and supporting each other through life’s challenges. Born into the “ADA generation,” they represent the cohort that has grown under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While Kaleigh prepares to start law school, Cody continues to explore his interests with the help of community-based programs.
The ADA, established in 1990, and the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision have been pivotal in ensuring that individuals with disabilities can live, learn, and work within their communities. However, these protections are now facing challenges from both legal and governmental fronts.
Legal Challenges to Community-based Services
A lawsuit titled Texas v. Kennedy argues against the federal requirement for states to provide community-based disability services. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently aligned with this stance, suggesting a shift away from enforcing community integration as outlined by the Olmstead decision. This has sparked concern among disability rights activists who fear a regression in civil rights for people with disabilities.
Alison Barkoff, a health law and policy professor at George Washington University, highlighted the significance of this change, stating, “It is now the position of the United States government that people with disabilities don’t have a right to be part of their communities.”
Cody Brendle’s Journey with Community Programs
Cody, who is blind and has autism, finds joy and purpose through a Medicaid-funded community program called Next Steps. Here, he engages in various activities, including job training at Jersey Mike’s Subs. “Bopping lettuce is my favorite job,” Cody said, describing the pride he feels in his work. His involvement in the program has been transformative, offering him newfound independence and social connections.
Heather Brendle, Cody’s mother, expressed her gratitude for these services, noting the substantial improvement in Cody’s well-being and confidence since joining Next Steps. “He lights up when he talks about Next Steps,” added Kaleigh.
Future Uncertainties for Disability Services
As Congress considers significant cuts to Medicaid, the sustainability of community-based programs hangs in the balance. Advocates like Jennifer Mathis from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law argue that these cuts are shortsighted, emphasizing that community care is more cost-effective than institutionalization.
The Brendle family faces uncertainty about future support for Cody, who is on a waiting list for a Medicaid waiver that could provide him housing options. “What’s five years from now? What’s 10 years from now?” wondered Jim Brendle, Cody’s father, reflecting on the importance of securing services that promote independence.
Advocacy and the Road Ahead
Inspired by the challenges and the legacy of disability rights activist Judy Heumann, Kaleigh has launched Judy’s League, a disability rights organization aimed at raising awareness and advocating for the integration mandate. As she embarks on her law education at the University of California, Berkeley, Kaleigh remains committed to fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.
“It feels like what I’m about to do is more needed than it has been in a long time,” Kaleigh said, determined to ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for her generation and beyond.
