Dear Friends of The Coelho Center,
July is Disability Pride Month, and this year's theme, "The World Works Better With Us," could not be more fitting. This month also marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act—a landmark achievement that transformed our nation by affirming that people with disabilities belong in every part of our communities. The ADA remains one of the proudest accomplishments of my life, but it is also a reminder that our work is far from finished.
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, I invite you to read my recent reflection on where we stand today and the work that still lies ahead.
This year also offers an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of The Coelho Center over the past eight years. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for everything this community has accomplished. I am especially grateful to Katherine Perez for her extraordinary leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment as the Center's founding director. Through her passion and determination, Katherine did far more than build an organization—she cultivated a community of advocates, scholars, students, and partners committed to advancing disability rights and justice. Her impact will continue to be felt for many years to come. The strong foundation she helped create, together with the exceptional and deeply committed staff of The Coelho Center, ensures that our work continues with strength and purpose. I have every confidence in the team that is carrying this mission forward, and I look forward to welcoming a new director who will build upon this remarkable legacy and help lead The Coelho Center into its next chapter.
Together, we have accomplished so much. The Center has convened national conversations, influenced disability policy, secured significant grants, built meaningful partnerships, and supported more than 250 aspiring lawyers through the Coelho Law Fellowship Program. Every one of these accomplishments represents progress toward a more equitable and inclusive society.
That mission is alive and well in this year's eighth cohort of Coelho Law Fellows. Thirty remarkable fellows spent June immersed in disability rights law, leadership development, and community building before graduating from the fellowship in July. They represent the next generation of attorneys, policymakers, advocates, and leaders who will continue advancing disability justice. I have every confidence that they will make an extraordinary difference in the lives of countless people.
As we look ahead, our commitment remains steadfast. The Coelho Center will continue working alongside the disability community to cultivate leaders, advance research and policy, expand educational opportunities, and advocate for the systemic changes necessary to create a more just and inclusive world.
This Disability Pride Month, I hope you will join us in that work. The World Works Better With Us is more than this year's theme—it is a powerful truth. When people with disabilities are fully included, our communities are stronger, our institutions are better, and our society is richer because of the diverse perspectives and talents everyone brings.
If you believe in that vision, I invite you to support our crowdfunding campaign. Your generosity helps prepare the next generation of disability leaders and strengthens the movement for disability rights and justice. Together, we can continue building a future where opportunity, belonging, and inclusion are realities for everyone.
Thank you for your friendship, your partnership, and your commitment to this important work.
With gratitude,
Tony Coelho
Founder, The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation