Cody and Kaleigh Brendle: Navigating Life Under the ADA
Living near the Jersey Shore, Cody and Kaleigh Brendle enjoyed their childhood filled with adventures on their grandfather’s boat and cycling excursions. Kaleigh recalls, “I was the annoying little sister — like, ‘Wait for me, wait for me!'” She admired her brother Cody’s bravery at summer camp, where he tackled rock-climbing walls and water slides, inspiring her to try new things.
Now adults, Cody, 27, and Kaleigh, 23, have always depended on each other while growing up with blindness. While Cody resides with their parents in New Jersey, Kaleigh is preparing to start law school across the country.
The siblings are part of the “ADA generation,” benefiting from protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In 1999, the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision bolstered the ADA’s integration mandate, ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to live, learn, and work in their communities rather than institutions.
“The Integration Mandate is Why I’m Here”
Kaleigh emphasizes how the integration mandate shaped her and Cody’s lives. “The integration mandate is why I’m here at all and why I get to go to law school,” she shared. The mandate requires states to support individuals with disabilities in the most integrated settings possible. This can include services like personal care, job support, and housing assistance.
However, a lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy, challenges the federal government’s ability to require states to provide these services in the community. The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued a legal opinion aligning with the lawsuit’s stance, stating that “Congress has not imposed an integration mandate on states.” The DOJ also clarified that it would reduce enforcement of the Olmstead decision.
Alison Barkoff, a health law and policy professor, said, “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.” She highlighted the significant cultural shift that has enabled disabled individuals to live and work alongside non-disabled peers.
“A Night-and-Day Change”
After leaving high school, Cody faced challenges filling his days with meaningful activities. His mother, Heather Brendle, noted, “He wasn’t the vibrant Cody that he used to be.” After enrolling in a Medicaid-funded program called Next Steps, Cody found new purpose. Kaleigh noticed the change, saying, “He lights up when he talks about Next Steps.”
At Next Steps, Cody participates in community activities, job training, and exercises at a local gym. While grocery shopping isn’t his favorite task, he acknowledges its importance. His job training at Jersey Mike’s Subs, where he excels at “bopping lettuce,” is a particular highlight.
Planning for an Uncertain Future
Cody’s family is concerned about his future due to potential cuts to Medicaid and community-based care. Although Cody currently benefits from family and community support, his family fears the long-term impact of reduced services. “What’s five years from now? What’s 10 years from now?” asked Jim Brendle, Cody’s father.
Kaleigh is committed to advocating for disability rights, founding Judy’s League in honor of activist Judy Heumann. As a law student at UC Berkeley, she is more determined than ever to ensure a future where her children and others enjoy the same rights she has today.
